Last Will and Testament of Joel Elam
In the name of God amen. I, Joel Elam of the County of Mecklenburg being of sound and perfect mind and memory
do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. It is my will and desire that all my just
debts and funeral charges be firstly paid and discharged and for such estate as it hath pleased god to bestow on me
I do bestow as follows:
Item I give unto my sons and daughters namely; Patty Grigg, Alexander Elam, James Elam, Edward Elam, Sabery Grigg,
Peter Elam, Pheby Moore and Frankey Graves five shillings each. I give and bequeath unto my grandson John Elam
son of Sabary Grigg when he arrives to the age of twenty-one Twelve pounds; I lend unto my daughter, Polley Elam when
she arrives to the age of nineteen years or marries one feather bed and furniture and one horse saddle and bridle the horse
to be about twelve pounds value. I lend unto my beloved wife Maryann Elam, all the rest of my estate of what kind so ever
during her widowhood and (at) her death, it is my will and desire that my son James Easter Elam should have all my lands and
should my wife die before the said James Estar Elam should come of age it is my will and desire that he should have my negro man
Jerry until he arrives to the age of twenty-one years at which time it is my will and desire that my son Alexander Elam should have
the said Jerry. It is my will and desire that the rest of my estate be equally divided between my son James Easter Elam and my
daughter Polley Elam. But should the James Easter Elam and Polley Elam or either of them die without any heirs lawfully begotten of
their bodies, it is my will and desire that my son Alexander Elam should have his her or their parts to them their heirs forever and
lastly, I do appoint my son Alexander Elam and my wife Maryann Elam Executors of this my last Will.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty First day April One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven.
his Joel + Elam mark
Signed in the presence of:
William Richards, Greenwood Harrison, William Hill (possible a nephew of Phoebe's father who died in 1777.
At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 10th day of September 1798.
This Will was proved by the oaths of Greenwood Harrison and William Hill witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the
motion of Alexander Elam and Maryann Elam the executors therein named who made oath thereto and together with Edward Loafman their
security entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of one thousand pounds conditioned as the law directs.
Certificate was granted them for obtaining _______ of the said will Teste William Bashawill