I Joel Forehand of the county of Chowan and state of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory but knowing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death do make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form as follows Vize-
First- I leave to my wife after my death, during her life, all the high land including all the buildings, whereon I now reside, also the first choice of my horses, Two cows and calves, Two Sows and Pigs or -------.  All the household and kitchen furniture two ploughs and gear -------, single horse harrow first choice all the Bees, one horse cart and gear first choice, Seventy-five dollars in gold, one thousand pounds pork, two thousand herrings, Twenty-five bushels wheat, forty barrels corn ,three thousand pounds fodder and ten bushels peas together with certain pieces or parcels of land hereinafter named given to my children John Martin, Harriet P and Joanna Forehand after leaving my beloved wife Mary Forehand the above articles named, it is my will and desire that she be allowed no years provisions as the law directs
Secondly I give and bequeath unto my grandchildren Jemmie Ward, Carolina Ward, Charity Ward, Sarah Ward, Anna Ward, and Judson Ward the sum of three  hundred dollars to be paid to them as they become of age
Thirdly I give and bequeath unto my daughter AJ Brim and to her children seventy-five acres of land, see deed of gift dated this day
Fourthly I give and bequeath unto my son William T Forehand one hundred and fifteen acres of land more or less see deed of gift dated this day
Fifthly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary E Twine fifty acres of land, see deed of gift dated this day.  Unto my daughter Mary E Twine the sum of one hundred dollars
Sixthly I give and bequeath to my son John Martin Forehand after the death of my wife all the high land including the buildings heretofore loaned to ,my wife together with a part of the low land.Beginning at the Sandy Ridge Road running Caleb Perry and Harvey Perry’s lineto a Safras post near a ditch ,then running the said ditch to the road running through the plantation then running a line of marked trees to Allen Perry’s line (?exaft) I loan to my wife six cuts of land commencing at the high land and running down to the middle gate.
I also give and bequeath to my son ,John Martin Forehand one sorrell horse,one cow and calf,one feather bed
Seventhly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Harriet P Forehand one tract of land in Bear Swamp adjoining the lands of  Henderson Simpson the heirs of John Burke and others except I loan my wife during her life the west side of said land on the west side of the road running through said land ,
I also give and bequeath to my daughter Harriet P Forehand the sum of one hundred dollars ,one feather bed and furniture,one linnen wheel,one cow and calf
Eighthly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Joanna Forehand all the remainder of the tract of land not heretofore given away whereon I now reside except I loan to my wife during her life the three new ground cuts in said land .Ialso give to my daughter Joanna the sum of one hundred dollars ,one feather bed and furniture one linnen wheel and one cow and calf
Ninethly In addition to what I have heretofore given to my son Wm T Forehand I give and bequeath unto him fifty acres of land part of the tract known as the Ford’s ridge and adjoining the land formerly belonged to Rich H Small
Tenthly It is my will and desire that after my death all the legacies heretofore named shall be paid out of my estate by my administrator and that all my estate not heretofore given away to be sold and equally divided among my grandchildren Jennie Ward,Carolina Ward,Charity Ward,Sarah Ward,Anna Ward,Judson Ward,and Mary E Twine,HarrietP and Joanna Forehand
In testimony I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this 24th day of Febuary 1868
 Witnessed                                                                   Signed with the mark of  Joel Forehand
H Simpson
R D Simpson