Northampton County Courthouse
Will Book 7, Pages 428-430

I Emiline Stephenson of the aforesaid County and State being of sound mind but considering the uncertainty of my existence do make and declare this my last will and testament: First That my two Sisters hereinafter mentioned shall give my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my friends and relatives and pay all funeral expenses together with all my just debts out of the first money which may come into their hands belonging to my estate.

I give and bequeath unto my two sisters Mary Stephenson and Edith Stephenson all of my real Estate lying and being in the Kirby Township, Northampton County and State of North Carolina divided in two tracks Adjoining the lands of H. S. Britton deceased and others during the term of their natural life. And at the death of my two Sisters aforesaid to my nephew Benjamin J. Ricks to him and his heirs. And in case the said Benjamin J. Ricks should die without a lawful heir then and in event the Said real Estate is to belong to my next nearest of kin.

I give and bequeath unto my two Sisters Mary and Edith Stephenson during their natural life all of my household and kitchen furniture, and interest in Stock of every kind and at their death said property is to go to my nephew Benjamin J. Ricks should die without a lawful heir ?illegible word?, and is in that even said property is to go to my next nearest of kin. In testimony whereof I the said Emiline Stephenson do hereunto set my hand and seal this 11th day of February 1895.

Signed, sealed published and declared by the Said Emiline Stephenson to be her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request and in her presence do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto

Witnesses
B F Martin
R E Draper

North Carolina
Northampton County
In the Superior Court

A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Emiline Stephenson deceased is exhibited before me the undersigned Clerk of the Superior Court for the said County by B. J. Ricks one of legatees therein named, and due execution thereof by the said Emiline Stephenson is proved by the oath and examination of B.F. Martin and R.E. Draper, the subscribing witnesses thereto, who being duly sworn, doth depose and say and each for himself deposeth and saith that he is a subscribing witness to the paper-writing now shown him purporting to be the last will and testament of Emiline Stephenson, that the said Emiline Stephenson in the presence of this deposent subscribed her name at the end of said paper-writing now shown as aforesaid and which bears date of the 11 day of Feby, 1895, and the deponent further saith that the said Emiline Stephenson the testator aforesaid, did, at the time of subscribing her name as aforesaid declare the said paper-writing so subscribed by him and exhibited to be his last will and testament and this deposant did thereupon subscribe her name at the end of said will as an attending witness thereto, and at the request and in the presence of the said testator, and the deposant further saith, that at the said time, when the said testator subscribed her name to the said last will as aforesaid, and at the time of deponent subscribing his name as an attending witness thereto as aforesaid, the said Emiline Stephenson was of sound mind and memory, of full age to execute a will and was not any restraint to the knowledge, information or belief of the deposant. And further these deponents say not.

Severally sworn and subscribed before me this 15th day of May, (1895 or 1897, date is overwritten)
R. E. Draper
B. F. Martin

North Carolina
Northampton County
In the Superior Court

In the matter of the last will of Emiline Stephenson.
It appearing to the Court by the oath and examination of B F Martin and R E Draper the subscribing witnesses thereto, that the paper writing pro-??? by the executor therein named is the last will and testament of Emaline Stephenson and that the same was duly executed by the same Emaline Stephenson in the presence of said witnesses and that at the time of signing the same the said Emaline Stephenson was of sound mind etc. It is thereupon adjudged that the said paper writing be admitted to Probate as the last will and testament of the said Emeline Stephenson and, the executor therein named qualify as such.
This the 15 day of May 1899.