Fourth Generation Inclusive

Know all men by these presents that I Zilpha Artis of the County of Wayne and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of life do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say. That my Executor Philip Fort shall provide for my body a decent burial according to the wishes of my relatives and friend and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts to whomsoever due out of the money that may first come into his as a part or parcel of my estate.

I give and devise to my niece Francis Diggs all of my entire lands and all my household and Kitchen furniture to have and to hold to her the said Francis Diggs for and during the time of her natural life and after her death to be equally divided between her two children Sula Artis and Margaret Diggs their heirs and assigns forever

I give and bequeath to my Sister Eliza Artis the sum of fifty cents

I give and bequeath to my Sister Leatha Artis the sum of fifty cents

I give abd bequeath to Brother Calvin Artis the sum of fifty cents

And I give and bequeath to my brother Thomas Artis the sum of fifty cents

And lastly I do hereby appoint and constitute Phillip Fort my lawful executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part and clause therein hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made.

In testimony whereof I the said Zilpha Artis do hereunto set my hand and seal this 19^th day of November A.D. 1881    Zilpha X Artis {seal}

Signed and sealed in the presence of B.J. Person, John B. Person

Book 1, page 245; proved 20 September 1882, Probate Court, Wayne County.

———-

In the Name of God Amen:

I Eliza Artis of the County of Wayne and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of human life do therefore make Publish and declare this to be my last Will and testament: That is to say first after all my burial expenses are paid and discharged the residue of my estate. I give and bequeath and dispose of as follows to wit to John Newsom son of James Newsom and Penina Newsom Four Dollars to Francis Diggs all the balance of my personal and real estate that I may be in Possession of at my death during her Natural life and after the death of said Francis Diggs all of said Personal and real estate is to be equally divided between Francis Diggs’s three children Sula Artis Margrett Diggs and William Diggs Likewise I make constitute and appoint Noble Exum and George Exum to be my Executors to this my last Will and testament hereby revoking all former wills made by me

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this the eleventh day of February in the year of our lord one Thousand eight hundred and Ninety  Eliza X Artice {seal}

In the presence of Witnesses John H. Skinner, R. X H. Locus

Hand-written notation in margin: “See Book No 32 Page 320 Register of Deeds Office”; Book 1, page 524.

———-

I Lethy Ann Artice of Nahunta Township, State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory, do declare this to be my last will and testament.

I give and bequeath to my son James Artice Five acres of land known as my fathers place to have to hold through his natural life, after his death to Maggie Artis his daughter. But should she want to live on said land before his death, I give her a right, so to do.

I give and bequeath to Luby Baker and Anna Baker the children of Mildly Baker Four acres provided Mildly Baker shall be guardian for said children until they reach their majority.

I give and bequeath to Bettie Bradford and Brantham Five acres land to have and to hold their natural life afterwards to their heirs.

I give and bequeath to Zachary Artice Five acres land.

I give and bequeath to John and Octavius the sons of Thomas Artis my son Four acres land if they should want to sell each other all right but no one else.

I give and bequeath to Zachary his fathers chest. All heirs to pay Zachary Artice for burial expenses Sarah & Jackson, before coming in possession of the property I give.

I also give to Zachary the big pot, I also give him his house, no matter on whose land it falls on. Be it understood I have already given Zachary ½ acre during my life time. I also gave Thomas Two Dollars and a Bull. I also give Baker a cow and calf, Betsey two Dollars I say this to show what I have given. Bitsey and Mildly I give one bed a piece, my large bed to be divided between Tom & Zachary. I also give Maggie Artice James daughter, Sarahs chest. I also give the [illegible] and gear to Scintha Ann Artice. All the heirs, with Scintha Ann take my wearing clothes also House furniture also. But should Zachary want any particular thing, as he been my protector let him have it I appoint I.F. Ormond Executor of this will. In witness whereof I Letha Ann Artice have herewith set my hand and seal This 9^th day of Oct 1892   Letha Ann X Artice

Subscribed by the testator in the presence of each of us and declared by her to be the last will testament Witnesses   J.H. Skinner, Noble Exum

Book 2, page 184; proved 2 January 1897, Superior Court, Wayne County.

Will Books, Office of Clerk of Superior Court, Wayne County Courthouse, Goldsboro.

In the 1850 census of the North Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Celia Artis, 50, with Eliza, 34, Zelpha, 28, Thomas, 15, Calvin, 20, and Lumisa Artis, 6. Also, John Artis, 28, Leatha, 30, Sarah, 3, and Zachariah, 2.  [Sidenote: Leatha, Eliza and Zilpha Artis were daughters of Celia Artis and her enslaved husband, Simon Pig. Celia was one of the wealthiest free people of color in Wayne County. — LYH]