Higdon, Mary.
Mar 1, 1785.
Mary Higdon, of District, for natural love and affection for
my son, Jeptha Higdon, of sd District, and also other causes, etc., have given
unto him, the sd Jeptha, upon express conditions hereinafter mentioned, all my
goods, chattels and property, real and personal, consisting of four negroes,
called "Old Tom", "Young Tom", "Dick" and "Limrick", horned cattle, horses, hogs
and every article, thing of whatsoever nature, to have and hold in trust during
his natural life but not to sell, dispose of in any way, nor shall it or any part
of it, be subject to his engagements, contracts or debts, now or to be hereafter
contracted, but at his death to be equally divided among the lawfully begotten
heirs of him, my son Jeptha Higdon, who never-the-less is to use enjoy and
dispose of all the revenue and profit to be made by using and enjoying said
negroes and stock. If he die without heirs, one negro to go to his wife and
the remainder of the estate to revert to me. 1 March 1785.
Both sign with their marks.
Wit: Stephen Minor, D. Smith.