***WILL OF ALEXANDER JOYCE
In the name of God, Amen. I, Alexander Joyce of Guilford County, in the state
of N. Carolina being at this time very weak in body but of sound and perfect
mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament ii manner
and form following, that is to say first and principally I command my body to
be buried in a decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my
executor herein after nominated and appointed and as to the worldly goods
wherewith it hath pleased God to help me I will and dispose of them in manner
and form following.
Item - I give to my beloved wife, Jane Joyce, three negroes, to wit, Ned,
Sue, & Pegg and two hundred and forty acres of land including the plantation
wherein I now live to be laid off in the N. East corner running down the
river and out to the line which land my son, Robert, is to have when he
arrives at full age, also two negroes, to wit, Harry & Ca?e, and one hundred
pounds in money to him and his heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my son, Thomas Joyce, ten pounds in money & to
his son, Joseph Joyce, one hundred pounds in money to him and his heirs
forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my son, John Joyce five hundred and twenty six
acres of land lying in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, on Sandy River, also
his negroes, Dick and Jenny, (several words erased) which said land and
negroes (word erased) I give to him and his heirs forever.
Item - My will & desire is that the two negro children belonging to the negro
woman, Pegg, above mentioned to be sent to my wife, Jane, to be kept and
enjoyed by my said wife and all the future increase of both the said negro
woman listed above and during the natural life of my said wife and at her
death as well the negroes lent as also all their increase be sold and the
money arising from the sale be equally divided amongst all my sons which at
that time be living.
Item - I give and bequeath to my son, James Joyce, one negro man named Will
and one hundred pounds in money to him and his heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my son, Elijah Joyce, two hundred acres of land
to be laid off in the S. West corner of the land I now live on running down
the river ___ out to the ____, also one negroe woman named, Hagar, and one
hundred pounds in money which said _____ negroe and money I give to him and
his heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my son, Elisha Joyce, one ____ or tract of
vacant land including the mill, one negroe woman named, Jude, and one hundred
pounds in money to him and his heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my son, Andrew Joyce, one hundred acres of
land, part of the tract I now live on the lower end lying on both sides of
the river, one negroe boy named, Sam, and one hundred pounds in money to him
and his heirs forever.
Item- I give to my daughter, Sarah, one negroe woman named, Nan, now in her
possession and also Ten pounds in money and two cows to her and her heirs
forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my daughter, Margaret, one negroe girl named,
Amy, one horse and saddle, one bed and furniture and one spinning wheel to
her and her heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my daughter, Esther Joyce, one negroe girl
named Dinah, one horse and saddle, one bed and furniture and one spinning
wheel to her and her heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth Joyce, one negroe named,
Jenny, one horse and saddle, one bed and furniture, and one spinning wheel to
her and her heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Joyce, two negroes, to wit,
Jacob & Agnes, one horse and saddle, one bed and furniture, and one spinning
wheel to her and her heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my son, Elisha Joyce, one horse, saddle, and
bridle.
Item - I give and bequeath to my son, Andrew Joyce, one horse, saddle, and
bridle.
Item - I give to my beloved wife, Jane and son Elijah, my still, whatever is
there unto belonging by them jointly to be occupied.
Item - I give and bequeath to my loving wife, Jane, one black mare called,
Tilly, one saddle and bridle.
My further will and desire is that all the residue of my estate of every kind
whatsoever not herein devised be sold at public auction by my executor and
the money arising from the sale after saving one hundred pounds thereof for
the education of my little children, Elisha, Andrew, Robert, Margaret,
Elizabeth, and Mary be equally divided amongst my sons, John, James, Elijah,
Alexander, Elisha, Andrew, & Robert Joyce.
Lastly I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my sons, James Joyce &
Elijah Joyce, my brother, Thomas Joyce, and my friend, _____ Hamilton,
executors of this my last will and testament thereby revoking, disannulling
and making void all (illegible) & other wills by me heretofore made and
confirming this & no others to be my last will & testament. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this third day of
March Anno Dom. 1778.
Signed: Alexander Joyce
Signed, sealed, published, & pronounced and declared in presence of
James Holderness, Charles Gates, James Vernon. Alexander Smith
- - - - - - -
