Hello All, First of all, let me give a big THANK YOU to Fran Henderson for all her assistance with this. Below is the transcription of the Will of John Denton of Rutherford Co, NC dated 30 January 1838. I sure would like to know if anyone can help me connect this John to any of the other Denton families of the Burke/Rutherford area. Thanks so much. Audrey Fetterhoff Here goes: "In the name of God Amen I, John Denton being of sound mind and disposing memory but being advanced in years and not expecting in the course of nature to remain long in the world have thought it prudent to make a disposition of my small worldly property I do therefore make and ordain this instrument to be my last Will and Testament having never before now made any other I desire that the Just debts I owe at my decease should any be be paid as soon as is practicable-To my dear wife Sarah should she outlive me I leave all my property both real and personal during her life My daughters Aggy and Sally are to live with her and have a supposrt also John my grandson and son of my daughter Sally is to be considered one of the family and have a supposrt in the same manner as his mother-at the decease of my wife I give to my daughter Aggy my daughter Sally and her son John and their heirs one hundred acres of land each- I have divided the plantation whereon I live containing three hundred acres into three lots as nearly equal as I could and give to each of my three Legatees above named each one of the Lots and will hereafter show and point out to some person or persons the lot that I give to each of them be the lot over or under one hundred Acres To my grandson John above named I further give at the decease of my wife one bed and furniture also one horse should one be owned on the plantation To my daughter Mary Hudson** I also give in like manner a bed and furniture - and to my daughters Aggy and Sally and their heirs I give and divise the residue of my property of my property of every kind and description at the death of their mother to be equally divided between them-having heretofore given to my daughter Nancy Cloud the same amount of property that I now give to my daughters Aggy and Sally Is the reason I do not now devise anything farther to her- and as my daughters Aggy and Sally have by their labor and industry for some years past assisted to support me and their mother and I expect will continue so to do I have thought it Just and right that they should have the greatest part of the property I may leave behind me In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal and acknowledged this instrument to be my last Will and Testament this 30th Day of January 1838 Signed by John (his mark) Denton Signed Sealed and acknowledged in the presence of John Moore Eli F Littlejohn (Jun?) I, John Denton having in my Last Will and Testament above signed executed and acknowledged by me omitted to name any person as Executor thereof-not then having determined who to nominate- do now by this codicile to the Said Will nominate and appoint John W Hampton Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seal this 14th day of February 1838 Signed by the mark of John Denton with a drawn seal Signed Sealed and acknowledged in the presence of John Moore and Eli F Littlejohn (Jun?) Note added: Ex. qualified & Let Test. ??? Probate Court State of North Carolina Court of Probate Rutherford County> June Term 1850 The instrument on the other leaf was presented in Court for Probate as the last Will and Testament of John Denton & ? (looks like an abbreviation for deceased maybe) Eli F Littlejohn one of the subscribing witnesses to the same, whom being duely sworn, proved the due? and solemn execution of the codicil to the same it was therefore ordered to be recorded. John W. Hampton the Executor herein appointed appeared in Court and duly qualified as such and obtained Letters Testamentary R.L. Gilkey, clk Certified **I believe Mary Hudson was the wife of William Hudson and William Hudson was the son of Thomas Hudson and Nancy Denton. Thomas Hudson, the son of John M. Hudson and Nancy Denton possibly the dtr of Thomas Denton III. census records look as though, Nancy Cloud was married to Joel Cloud I have much census info to add but will send this for now