Last Will and Testament of Jesse Mizell^{1
Contributed by Jerry Mizell}

State of North Carolina

Martin County

I Jesse Mizell of the aforesaid County and State being of sound mind but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and declare this my last Will and Testament.

First – I loan to my four oldest sons to-wit: Hardy, Reddick, Jesse Edgar and Aaron the tract of land in Bear Grass Township Martin County adjoining the lands of Slade Harrison, Mc Cratt, Robt. Harrison, L.M. Martin, and Jas. A. Britton being the tract I purchased of Emily Bland and devise that each of them shall have a piece of land in said tract that I have shown him and that each have and hold his individual share of said land in fee simple all the days of his life and then it shall descend to his nearest heirs.

Second – To my son Louis I loan him during the days of his life and then to his nearest heirs the tract of land in Bear Grass Township Martin County adjoining the land of Jos. F. Bailey, Henry Rogerson, and Reubin Rogerson being the tract I purchased of Jos. F. Bailey.

Third – To my son Isaac I loan all the days of his life and then to his nearest heirs the tract of land in Bear Grass Township Martin County adjoining the lands of James A. Rogerson Wm Mizell being the tract of land I purchased of Chrissie Harrison.

Fourth – To my five daughters to-wit Georgianna, Lucy, Jennie, Drucilla Elizabeth, and Julia Chancey I loan all the days of their lives and then to their nearest heirs the tract of land in Bear Grass Township Martin County adjoining the lands of John W. Coltrain, W.J. Hadley, Simon Griffin, and Emma Burras and being the tract I purchased of Emily Bland.  In witness whereof I said Jesse Mizell do hereunto set my hand and Seal this 13 day of April, 1904.

                                                                                                                                                Jesse Mizell

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Jesse Mizell to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.

Witness:                                W. H. Crawford

                                H. M. Burras

The Codicil to the Last Will and Testament of Jesse Mizell

North Carolina, Martin

                I Jesse Mizell of said County and State make this codicil to my last Will and Testament published by me and dated April 4 – 1904 which I ratify and confirm.

                Whereas my above mentioned will makes no provision for my wife I therefore devise that she shall have a life estate in the home place, household and kitchen furniture, one horse, hogs and poultry.  In Testimony whereof I the said Jesse Mizell do hereunto set my hand and seal, this 13 day of April, 1904.

                                                                                                                                                Jesse Mizell

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Jesse Mizell as a codicil to his last will and testament in our presence and we in his presence and in the presence of each other have at his request hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Witness:                                W. H. Crawford

                                H. M. Burras

¹Transcribed from an official copy of the Last Will and Testament of Jesse Mizell received from the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court, Martin County, in Williamston, North Carolina dated April 1, 1966.