“In the name of God Amen I Isham Evans of the County & State [of Wayne County, North Carolina] aforesaid being In a low State of Health but of a sound & perfect mind & memory & noing that its appointed onst for man to die I resine my body up into the hands of that God that made it and having also Called to mind my worldly Estate to dispose of as folows”

To beloved wife Marah Evans — “one Negro girl by the name of Nance, to her her natural life or widowhood.”

To “Jacob Evans son of Joel Evans de’t” — “three Negros, one man by the name of Gorge, one Woman by the Name Cate, one boy named Dick & there increas”

To Sally Evans, daughter of Joel Evans, deceased — “one Negro girl by the name of Nance after the death or widowhood of my wife”

To Prissila Evans — lend “one Negro girl by the Name of Gine to her her natural live or widowhood & after that I give the said Negro girl gine to to Polly Evans daughter of Joel Evans”

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Isham Evans signed his will on 16 January 1815, and his executors filed it in May Court 1815. Evans lived in the Black Creek area in what is now Wilson County.

Original will available at North Carolina Wills and Estates, 1665-1998 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.