General Notes

John W. Duncan's will, dated August 25, 1835, proved April 25, 1836. To wife Margaret, during her life or widowhood, part of home tract purchased of John Payne, to be laid off as follows: Beginning at east end of his plantation at the end of a division fence between two fields in Harrison's line and with that fence westwardly to a pair of draw bars at the big spring, thence with the spring lot fence to the garden fence at upper end of two corn cribs, thence around south side of garden to west corner of same, thence with a division fence between a field and grass lot down to a place formerly called the little spring to intersect fence that comes down from west side of apple orchard, thence with that fence to upper corner of apple orchard about a north course, thence westwardly with a division fence between two grass pastures crossing the creek to F.B. Nichols' line, thence round with his line to Griffin Kelly's line, thence round with Kelly's line to Harrison's line, thence with Harrison's line to beginning, about 60 acres.
To son Thomas W., balance of home tract bought of John Payne; also at death or marriage of wife said Thomas to have land allotted to his mother in addition to above. To son William R., tract of land bought from Capt. James Young. To two daughters Elizabeth Bowren and Sally Duncan, tract of land bought from David Sutherland's heirs, to be equally divided between them; land bequeathed to Elizabeth to be hers as long as she may live and then to be equally divided between all her children; land bequeathed to Sally to be rented out and proceeds with bequest in money hereinafter mentioned to be given to his wife as compensation for maintenance of said daughter Sally, she being in a state of body and mind incapable of taking care of herself.
To wife, one black woman purchased of William Young, and another with her two children during her life and then to be equally divided between his surviving children, daughter Elizabeth's part to be divided between her children. To son William R., black woman and black man. To son Thomas W., black boy and black girl purchased of William Young. To daughter Elizabeth Bowren, two black girls during her life and then to be divided between all her children. To granddaughter Mary Duncan Bowren, negro girl.
To daughter Sally, should she again come to her proper mind and survive, three little negro girls, in trust with his son William until they are seven, so that they may be with their mother who was given to said William, and should said Sally be dead or die thereafter they are to be divided amongst his three surviving children, Elizabeth, William and Thomas.
To wife, all money received from estate of her father William Redman, which she has had in her possession since his decease; also out of his own money $600. To daughter Sally, $600 to be put out at interest and interest with proceeds of her land to be used as directed above. To daughter Elizabeth Bowren, $600 to be loaned out at 10% per annum and interest given her annually, the principal secured until her children are 18 or marry, when they are to receive an equal share; money to be placed in hands of son William as trustee. To two sons William and Thomas, all the money their uncles John and William Redman now owe on notes, $1,100 with interest, to be equally divided between them.
Should there be surplus money after paying all legacies, to be equally divided between wife and surviving children. After his decease personal estate to be sold and proceeds divided as follows: To wife, 1/3, balance to be equally divided amongst his children. Has placed in hands of Alfred Bowren various notes on sundry persons amounting to about $1,000, which he is to collect for the exclusive benefit of himself and family.
Executors: Friend and neighbor Frederick B. Nicholds (sic), son William R. Duncan. Witnesses: Wiley Roy Brasfield, Lewis Berry, L.B. Yeates.
Codicil, January 11, 1836. His wife and children shall have immediate possession of