The will of Mary Dean Brown Howard, wife of Edmond Howard of Richlands, Onslow County, NC Transcribed by Sydney "Skippy" Davis of Dublin, Ga., from a copy obtained from the State Archives in Raleigh, N.C. Effort has been made to preserve spelling, punctuation, grammar and capitalization of the original. email Skippy Davis at: skippy@peachnet.campuscwix.net NAMES Mary Dean Brown Howard, widow of Edmond Howard, Onslow County, NC John, son James, son Edward, son George, son Frank, son Lott, son Margaret, daughter Annie E. Howard, granddaughter Orpah C. Cox, daughter and executrix Jacob J. Edwards, witness Oscar A. Thompson, witness State of Northcarolina Onslow County June 18th 1887 I Mary D. Howard of the County & State aforesaid being of Sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existance do make and declare this my last will and Testament in manner and form following that is To say First that my Executor hereinafter named Shall provide for my body a decent burial Suitable to the wishes of my Relatives and friends and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts howsoever and to whomsoever owing out of the money that may first come into her hands as part or parcel of my Estate. Item 1st I give and bequeath to my Seven children namely John James Edward George Frank Lott and Margaret the sum of Twenty five cents Each to be paid by my Executrix hereinafter named which Sum together with the advancement they have had heretofore will make them a fair and Equitable portion of my Estate. Item 2nd I give and bequeath to my Granddaughter Annie E. Howard one bed and bedstead and furniture one bowl and pitcher, one Set of goblets also one hundred and twenty five Dollars now in the possession of my Eldest daughter Orpah C. Cox for which her Land is responsible. Also I give and bequeath to the aforesaid Annie E. Howard (end of first page) one Cow and calf to have and to hold to her and personal Representatives for ever the aforementioned bequest all to the aforementioned Annie E. Howard are made upon the condition that if she dies without lawful issue then in that event all of the mentioned property I give and bequeath to my Eldest daughter Orpah C. Cox Item 3rd I give and bequeath to my Eldest daughter Orpah C. Cox one (can't read the next word) all of my stock of hogs, Cook Stove dining table crockry cover and mat and all the provisions of all kinds whatsoever that I may have at my death to her and her personal Representative for ever. And Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved daughter Orpah C. Cox my lawful Executrix to all intents according to the testament and meaning to Execute this my Last will and Testament of the same and every part and clause thereof. In witness whereof I the said Mary D. Howard have hereunto Set my hand (and - left out) seal this June 18th 1887. her Mary D X Howard (hand-drawn seal) mark Signed declared and published by the above named Mary D. Howard and for her Last will and Testament in the presence of us who at her Request and in her presence have subscribe our names as witnesses thereto Jacob J. Edwards Oscar A. Thompson (end of second page) State of North Carolina Onslow County In Superior Court I Orpa C. Cox do solemnly swear that I believe this rinting to be and contain the last Will and Testament of Mary D. Howard deceased; and that I will well & truly execute the same by first paying her debts and then her legacies as far as the said estate shall extend, or the law will charge me, and that I will well and faithfully execute the office of an Executrix agreeably to the trust and confidence reposed in me, and according to law; So help me God. Orpah C. Cox Sworn & Subscribed to before me this 16th day of Febry. 1888 Chas. G--k Jr. C.S.C (end of third page) State of North Carolina Onslow County Before Chas. G--k Jr. Clerk Superior Court In the matter of the Probate of the last Will & Testament of Mary D. Howard, decd. A paper writing purporting to be the the last Will and Testament of Mary D. Hoard is exhibited before me the clerk of the superior Court by Orpah C. Cox the executrix as therein named in the paper writing, And in the hearing of said matter it was found and declared that the due execution of the same by the said Mary D. Howard was proven by the oath and examination of Jacob J. Edwards and Oscar A. Thompson the subscribing witnesses thereto, who say they signed the paper writing shown as attesting witnesses purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Mary D. Howard deceased, That the said Mary D. Howard in the presence of these deponents signed her name at the end of said paper writing and at the request of said testator after said Testator had signed her name at the end of said paper writing, they signed the same, And the deponents further saith that at the time when the deponents subscribed their names as attesting witnesses the said Mary D. Howard was of sound mind and memory, of full age to execute a will and was not under any restraint to the Knowledge or information of the deponents. It is therefore considered by the Court that the said paper writing and every part and clause thereof is the last Will and Testament of Mary D. Howard and it is ordered to be recorded and filed, and thereupon Orpah C. Cox the Executrix as (end of fourth page) named therein came forward and qualified according to law and letters Testamentary were issued to her. February 16th 1888, Charles G---k, Jr. Clerk Superior Court Probate of will of Mary D. Howard 1888