AAFA Wills
WILL OF JOSEPH ALFORD

Albemarle

North Carolina

In the name of God Amen the eighteth day of December 1689 Acording to ye Computation of ye Church of england I Joseph Alford of albermarle Cordwinder being of perfet memory & remembrance praised be god doe make and ordaine this my Last will and testement in maner and forme following

first I bequeath my Soule to god my maker hoping that the meritorious Death & passion of Jesus Christ my only Saviour & redeemer to render free pardon & forgiveness of all my sins & as for my body to be buried in Christian buriall at ye descretion of my executrix heare after nominated.

Item I give to Ann my wife all houses Lands tenements Leses goods & Cattles what soever the giving to my dafter Tabitha one Cow & for child that is in her belle If plese god that it doe live I doe give one Cow -- & all the rest of my estat not a bove pd I doe give to my wife ann The paying all my Just & lawfull debts & doe make her my hole sole executrix of this my Last will & testement revoking all other wills & testements in witness whare of [I] have heare unto Sett my hand & seale ye day & year above written.

Joseph Alford

Sealed signed & delivered in ye presens of us

Charles Jones

John Barber

Ludford Ivy

[Note: "Cordwinder" (or cordwainer) means one who works with cordovan leather, often refers to shoemaker.]