Will of Archibald Holmes
Will Book #4 No.1
July 22, 1796/Proved July 1797
In the Name of God Amen. I Archibald Holms of the County of Cumberland of State of North Carolina being weak in body, but of sound memory (blessed by God) do this Day make and publish this my first Will and Testament in manner following (That is to Say) - First I give my Son Jas the (Negro Virgil); and Negroe Tom I give for the use and service of my wife Elizabeth Holms until my son Archibald is of age, then Tom is to be equally Shared between Mary McKithin and Hannah Hadly, and then Negro Jack to come in in Tom's room and so remain and continue with my wife Elizabeth for life, and after he Decease; the said Negroe Jack to be equally Divided between my sons Arch'd and George; also I give Negroe Rose and Hanna to my wife During natural life, and after her Decease the aforesaid Negroe girls and their issue if there will be any I order to be equally Divided among all my wife's children - Archibald and Jean and Peggy George and Sarrah and Also the land wherein I now live I give to my wife During her natural life and after her Decease the said land to be equally divided between my sons Archibald and George Holms. Also I give my Wife Elizabeth Holms all household stuff and furniture and all the utensils belong to me on the plantation all to be at her Disposal as she thinks proper; also all the rest and Residue of my Chattles & Personal Estate whatsoevr I give to my said Wife Elizabeth Holms and I make & ordain her my said Wife sole Administratrix of this my Will in trust for the intents and purposes in this my will contained, & in Witness Whereof I the said Archibald Holmes have to this my Will and Testament set my Hand & Seal, the 22nd Day of July 1796.
Signed, Sealed & Delivered by the /s/ Archibald Holms (Seal) Said Archibald Holmes, as for his First and Last Will & Testament in the Presence of us who were present at the signing & sealing thereof;

Test

/s/ John Blue (Bluie)
/s/ Edward McMillan

Division of Estate of Archibald Holmes
State of North Carolina...

The undersigned and Subscribers being appointed by the last Cumberland County Court to divide the personal Estate of Archibald Holmes of said County deceased among his heirs, to wit: Archibald, Jane, Margaret, George and Sarah, agreeable to his Will and having convened at the Plantation of the late deceased and the heirs that are of age being present and those underage also present by their Guardians, and having viewed the Negroes belonging to said Estate we Report as follows that is to say we value Negroes...

Rose at the sum of Three hundred & forty dollars..................................................$340

Jack at four hundred Dollars..................$400

Grace a Girl at one hundred & ninety dollars.....$190

Tom a Boy at one hundred and ninety dollars...............$190

George a Boy at one hundred & sixty dollars...............$160

1/5 $1,280

Making one heirs share two hundred & fifty six dollars............... .$256

And that we have allotted and delivered over said Slaves at their several valuations to the heirs as follows. Rose to Jane Holmes, Jack to George Holmes, Grace to John Crumpler & his wife Margaret, Tom to Archibald Holmes & George to Sarah Holmes, making those who have the more valuable dividends chargable to those of inferior values, and the said several Sums on account of the more valuable Dividends to bear interest from the date of this division, to wit: Jane Holmes to pay into the hands of Robert Dyer, Guardian for Sarah Holmes, the sum of eighty four dollars. George Holmes by his Guardian Archibald Holmes on account of his more valuable dividend to pay into the hands of Robert Dyer, Guardian of Sarah Holmes, twelve dollars. The said Archibald Holmes, Guardian aforesaid, to his brother George to pay to John Crumpler the husband of Margaret Holmes, Sixty six dollars an amount of said George's more valuable dividend and further that the said George's more valuable dividend pay to his Brother's Guardian Archibiald Holmes the sum of Sixty six dollars, the Balance due of his more valuable dividend. The committee observe that they have proceded no further in dividing the residue of the Estate which consists of some cattle and household stuff as there are some debts against the Estate which are unsatisfied and as they conceive will about take that property to satisfy the same. ----Given under our hands & Seals ........ March the Second day 1807.

/s/ John Dickson (?) (Seal)
X Word (Seal)
/s/ H. Webster (Seal)