CASWELL COUNTY, NC - WILLS - Thomas Rice, 1800
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Contributor's Note:  The information I have is that Thomas Rice's first 
wife was Jane Mills, and that he married Abigail Hewlett about 10 years 
after Jane's death.  His childrens' names all started with the letter 
"Z".  The heirs named in the Will are his sons-in-law, except for Zeri 
Rice, who was his son.

WILL OF THOMAS RICE
Will Book 2 Pg 438 - Caswell Co., NC
13 Apr 1800
In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Rice of the county of Caswell, being
sick in body, but of perfect mind and memory, do make and ordain this my 
last Will and Testament in manner and form following.  First, I give and
bequeath to my beloved wife, ABIGAIL, the house wherein I now live with 
one Hundred and Fifty Acres of land to be laid off in or near a square 
to include said house and improvement to her use and behoof during her 
natural life, and the reaminder of my said tract of land adjoing I give 
and bequeath to my son, Zeri Rice, also the aforedsaid house and 
furniture with said hundred fifty acres to him and his heirs forever 
after my wife's death.  Also, I give to my six children or their heirs, 
viz, Zeri Rice, George Sims, Robert Blackwell, Lancelot Johnson, Daniel 
Gwyn and Louest Vannoy, my three negroes, viz Charles, Ben and Lydda, 
the said Lydda to be valued and have liberty to choose her master.  The 
other two to be sold and all three equally divided among the aforesaid 
six children or their heirs.  I give unto Margaret Starkey a mare colt 
named Jewel and one featherbed.  Likewise, it is my desire that a small 
tract of land on the north side of country line where John Payne 
(Taylor) formerly lived and my ......set of surveying instruments be 
sold to pay off my debts.  All the remainder of my estate real and 
personal I give to my beloved wife during her natural life and at her 
death to be equally divided among her children.  But it is my will and
desire that each of the children shall have a home and a bed as they
come of age or leaves their mother or what other property she can best 
share to be valued and counted in their dividend.

I constitute and appoint Robert Blackwell and Lancelot Johnson Executors
of this my Last Will and Testament revoking all and every former wills 
by me made.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal 
this 13th day of April 1800.

Thomas Rice

Signed, seal and pronounced in presence of us

Thos Slade (illegible)
Zire Guegn (illegible)

Submitted by:  Lucy McGhee - mollie@dnet.net