Warren County, North Carolina
12 May 1794

In the name of God, Amen, I, John Shearin of the county of Warren and State of North Carolina, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say after my just debts is payd;

I lend to my son Joseph Shearin’s widow, one negro girl by the name of Philace during her lifetime or widowhood, and at her death or marriage I give it to her son, Danniel Shearin forever. 

I also lend to my son William Shearin’s widow a negro girl name of Lucy, during her life or widowhood and at her death or marriage I give it to her son, Thomas Shearin forever, I also lend to my son Charles Shearen’s widow a negro girl by the name of Judah, during her life or widowhood and at her death or marriage, I give it to her son, Charles Shearin, forever I also lend to my son Moses Shearin, one negro Girl by the name of Tab and my still til his son Moses Shearin arrives at the age of twenty one and then the said negro and still be equally divided between his two sons, Moses and Aaron Shearin, I give to them forever. I also give a negro boy by the name of Coling to my son John Shearin Forever. I also give a negro boy by the name of Jack, to my son Aaron Shearing forever, I also leave my land and six negroes, to witt: Old Roger and Judah, Roger’s wife and Great Judah, young Roger, James, David to nine daughters; Mary Cimbrill, Elizabeth Thompson, Agnes Acree, Bekky Reggan, Curtice Kirk, Susanna Durham, Frances Bell, Sarah Crutchfield, Amy Walker, if living, if not for their children to have their parts intended for them and my will is my will is it should be equally divided, that is, the land and six negroes mentioned before. I also desire that my stock, household furniture, working tools, crop and such like things, may be sold and the money equally divided amongst all my children, both sons and daughters. My desire is that my negro Tom, may choose his master and not be sold as the other negroes are at publik sale, but to be sold by the executor to the master he chooses, for as much money as they can get and the money he fetches to be equally divided as the stock etc.

I hereby appoint Collen James Paine, Jesse Bell, Nathaniel Baxter executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I hereby publish and declare this to be contained my last Will and Testament.

Proved Nov 1795