Know all men by these presents that I James Griffin, possessing a sound disposing mind and memory but knowing the uncertaintly of life and the certainty of death do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following viz:

Item 1^st I give and bequeath my body to the dust, and my soul to "God" that gave it Amen.

Item 2^nd I give and bequeath my beloved wife Margaret Ann Griffin, one full years provisions for herself and her family that may be with her and stay with her at my death.

Item 3^rd I lend unto my wife all of my cattle all of my hogs, all of my household and kitchen furniture of every description during her natural life fo rthe use and benefit of her family, and at her death what is then remaining my heirs my divide among themselves, as near equal as they can, without a sale. This item provides that those of my children that is married or may marry that has not had a cow and calf my wife is at liberty to let them have one and all them that has had or may have at the time of the division aboved named shall be brought in and considered as part of the cattle.

Item 4^th I give and bequeath to my son Joshua Lawrence Griffin a certain piece or parcel of land lying in Craven County, and on the North east prong of Bay River, and James Millers Mill pond, beginning at the main run of the mill pond six feet from my leading ditch on the westard side running north forty four east Eighty four pole to a stone formerly known as gum corner thence north twenty six east three hundred pole to the corner of the back line of my land thence with the said back line south sixty four East far enough to go South 26 west towards the mill pond, and strke 6 feet from Lewis Hudson's ditch on the westard side of the ditch that is on the westard side of his house, and to the main run of the mill pond and thence with the various corners of the run and up the run to the beginning containing on ehudnred acres more or less, also my old gun to him and his heirs forever.

Item 5^th I give and bequeath to my daughter Saprhonia Martha Ann Hudson (wife of Lewis Hudson) a certain piece or parcel of land lying in the county of Craven and on the North East prong of Bay River beginning at Joshua L. Griffin's lower corner running his line north 24 East to the back line of my land thence with the said back line south sixty four East far enough to go South 26 west towards the mill pond so as to strike six feet Eastard side of the said Lewis Hudson's lower ditch, and on the main run thence up the run with the various corners thereof to the beginning containing seventy five acres more or less. To have and to hold to him and his heirs forever.

Item 6^th I give and bequeath to my son James Lewis Griffin, a certain piece or parcel of land lying in Craven County and on the North East prong of Bay River beginning at Saphronia Martha Ann Hudson's lower corner on the main run of the mill pond running with her line North 26 East to the back line of my land the said Saphronia's corner thence with the back line south 64 East 40 feet thence south 26 west to the main run of the mill pond thence up the run with the various corners to the beginning containing 100 acres more or less. Also one double barrel gun to have and to hold to him and his heirs forever.

Item 7^th I give and bequeath to my daughter Harriet Elizabeth Mills (wife of Allen Mills) a certain piece or parcel of land lying in Craven County and on the North East prong of Bay River, beginning at James L. Griffin's lower corner on the main run of the mill pond running North 26 East to the back line of my land the said James L. Griffin's corner, thence with the back line South 64 East 30 pole thence south 26 west to the main run of the mill pond, thence up the run with the various corners to the beginning containing 75 acres more or less. To have and to hold to him and his heirs forever.

Item 8^th I give and bequeath to my daughter Susan Penelope Lincoln (widow of Thomas Lincoln dec'd) a certain piece or parcel of land lying on the North East prong of Bay River, beginning at Harriet E Mills lower corner on the main run of the mill pond thence with her line North 26 East to the back line of my land her corner thence with the back line south 64 East 30 poles thence South 26 West to the main run of the mill pond, thence up the run with various corners thereof to the beginning containing 75 acres more or less to her to have and to hold to her and her heirs forever.

Item 9^th I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Perlina Dixon (wife of Lewis Dixon) a certain piece or parcel of land lying in the county of Craven and on the North East prong of Bay River, beginning at Susan P. Lincoln's lower corner in the main run of the mill pond running with her line North 26 East to the back line of my land her corner thence with the said back line South 64 East 30 poles thence south 26 West to the main run of the mill pond, thence up the run with the various courses to the beginning, containing 75 acres more or less. To have and to hold to her and her heirs forever.

Item 10^th I give and bequeath to my son John Matthew Griffin a certain piece or parcel of land lying in the County of Craven and on the North East prong of Bay River, beginning at Mary P. Dixon's lower corner at the main run of the mill pond thence with her line North 26 East to the back line of my land, thence with the said back line South 64 East 40 poles thence south 26 West to the main run of the mill pond, thence up ;the run with the various corners thereof to the beginning containing 100 acres more or less to have and to hold to him and his heirs forever.

Item 11^th I give and bequeath to my son Josiah Stanly Griffin, a certain piece or parcel of land lying in the County of Craven, and on the North East prong of Bay River, beginning at John M. Griffin's lower corner on the main run of the mill pond thence with his line North 26 East to the back line of my land thence with the said back line South 64 East 40 poles, thence south 26 East west to the main run of the mill pond thence up the run with the various corners thereof to the beginning containing 100 acres more or less to have and to hold to him and his heirs forever.

Item 12^th I give and bequeath to my son Jesse lawrence Griffin a certain piece or parcel of land lying in the County of Craven and on the North East prong of Bay River, beginning at Josiah L. Griffin's lower corner on the main run of the mill pond, thence with his line to the back line of my land, thence with the said back line south 64 East 40 the lower back corner of all my lands, thence south 26 west with the patent line 300 pole to a poplar stump near or at the deep branch thence down the deep branch with the various corners to its mouth in the main run of the mill pond, thence up the run with the various corners thence to the beginning containing 100 acres more or less to have and to hold to him and his heirs forever.

Item 13^th If any of my above named children should die and leave no child or children born in wedlock, then in that case their portion of land to be equally divided be their living brothers which I make heirs.

Item 14^th I nominate and appoint my friend Bryan Whitford as sole executor to this my last will and testament, in witness whereof I, James Griffin, hath hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the 11^th day of October A. D. 1854

James Griffin (seal)

Item 15^th Inasmuch as I am in debt and have not money and notes enough to pay my debts with, if my son James L. Griffin will assume them and pay them he is to have for a compensation, all that he can raise on my plantation for five years from the ditch across the field to the back side of the same, as I do not wish any sale of any of my property more than I have spoken of.