Caswell County, North Carolina.

In the name of God, Amen, I Amace Stokes being of sound mind and memory and calling to mind that it is once appointed for all men to die do make this my last will and testament

First, I recomend my soul to God who give it and my body to the dust from whence it came and to be buried in a Christian like manner and as to my worldly estate that it has pleased God to bless me with, it is my desire that it be disposed of in the following manner --

First that all my just debts be paid, Secondly I leave to my beloved wife, Susannah Stokes three hundred acres of land including the mansion house and Mill from a Due East and West Line so as to contain the three hundred acres to the North end of my land during her natural life or widowhood and at her death or marage (sic) I give and bequeath all the land and premises to my son, Moore Stokes and it is my desire that my son Moore Stokes have the liberty and right to settle on any part of said land the he may think proper at any time when he may choose so as to leave the mansion house and a sufficient part of the plantation in the possesion of my beloved wife Susannah for her support during her life and widowhood, I also leave to my wife Susannah, one negro woman, Letty during her life or widowhood, and at her death or marriage I give and bequeath the negro Letty to my son Moore Stokes with all her increase from and after this day to him and his heirs forever. I also give and bequeath to my son Moore, one negro boy, Isaia, to take possession at my death. I also give and bequeath to my son, Moore, One feather bed and furniture known by the name of Moorešs bed - I give and bequeath to my wife, Susannah One bed and furniture known by the name of her bed to her and her heirs forever, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Melinda one negro girl, Hanner to her and her heirs forever, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth Barsdale one negro girl named Fanny to her and her heirs forever. I give and bequeath to my daughters, Eliz. Barsdale and Melinda Stokes, fifty acres of land each to be laid of by a due east and west line across my whole tract and adjoining the land heretofor given to my son Moore Stokes and then equally divided by a north and south line as to contain fifty acres each, and I give and bequeath to grandsons, sons of Samuel Burch and Peggy M. Burch, his wife, William Burch, Amace Stokes Burch an to my three granddaughters, Lucinda, Elizabeth and Susannah Burch Fifty acres of land adjoining to the before named land given to Elizabeth Barsdale and Melinda Stokes which is fifty acres shall be sold by my Executors when Susannah Burch becomes fo sixteen years of age, then equally divided amongst them. William, Amace S., Lucinda, Elizabeth and Susannah Burch and amongst all of them that then may be living, I give and bequeath to my son Moore Stokes all my plantation tools, one horse known by the name of Fly. I lend to my beloved wife all the residue of my stock of every kind all my other house hold and kitchen furniture during her natural life or widowhood to be made use of for the support of herself and family and at her death and marriage I give and bequeath all of the same that may then remain with their increase to my son Moore to him and his heirs forever all my crops now on hand to be left on the plantation for the support of my family stock. I give and bequeath to Bird Barsdale one bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever. Lastly I constitute, nominate and appoint my beloved wife Susannah Stokes and my son, Moore Stokes and my friend, William Moore, senior executors and executors to this, my last will and testament in testimony where of I have hereinto signed my hand and affixed my seal this 30 day of August 1817.  

Signed sealed and acknowledged in the presents (sic) of.

(the mark of Amace Stokes and his seal)

NB...I give and bequeath to my daughter Nanny Connally one dollar,, I give and bequeath to my daughter Kissiah Pruett on dollar given under my hand and seal this day and date find above my will and testament.

Signed and sealed.

Filed in the state of North Carolina, October court 1817.

-Azariah Graves - (county magistrate?)