In the matter of the Will of Elias L. CRANFORD} Before John A. BOYDEN                                                                                                                                                   Judge of Probate

John D. REDWINE being sworn doth say that Elias L. Cranford late of said County is dead having a Will & Testament; and that John D. REDWINE is the person nominated in said last Will & testament as Executor.  Further, that the value of said estate so far as can be ascertained at the date of this application is about $50. and that Jane CRANFORD, Widow, Minerva L. CRANFORD, Henry CRANFORD, Harrison CRANFORD, J.C. CRANFORD, Salina Barringer wife of Joseph BARRINGER, Nancy Ann TURNER wife of William TURNER are entitled as devisees & Legatees, thereof                                                                                                                                                                                        John D. REDWINE

Sworn & subscribed before                                                                                                                                                me, this 14th day of June 1873                                                                                                                                            John A. BOYDEN                                                                                                                                                            Probate Judge

State of North Carolina                                                                                                                                           Rowan County} In the Probate Court                                                                                                            

A Paper purporting to be the last Will & Testament of Elias L. CRANFORD deceased is exhibited before me, the undersigned Judge of Probate for said County by John D. REDWINE, the executor therein named and the due execution thereof by the said Elias L. CRANFORD is duly proven by the oath & examination of John F. MILLER & Edward MOSS, the subscribing witnesses thereto; who being sworn, doth depose & 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 & Testament of Elias L. CRANFORD that the said Elias L. CRANFORD in the presence of this deponent, subscribed his name at the end of said paper writing which is now shown of said paper writing which is now shown as aforesaid, and which bears date of the 11th day of April 1873.  And the deponenth further saith that the said Elias L. CRANFORD the Tester aforesaid did at the the time of subscribing his name as aforesaid declare the said paper writing so subscribed by him, and exhibited, to be his last Will & Testament, and this deponent did thereupon subscribe his name at the end of said will as an attesting Witness thereto, and at the request, and in the presence of the said Testator.  And this deponent further saith that at the said time when the said Testator subscribed his name to the said Last Will as aforesaid, and at the time of the deponents subscribing his name as an attesting Witness thereto, as aforesaid, the said Elias L. CRANFORD, was of Sound mind & memory, of full age to execute a Will and was not under any restraint to the Knowledge, information on belief of this deponent, and further these deponents say not.                                                                                                                                   John F. MILLER                                                                 

 Sworn to & Subscribed in the presence of                                                                                                                  John A. BOYDEN                                                                                                                                                         Judge of Probate  June 14th 1873

     Upon the proof here addressed it is adjudged, by the court that the paper writing exhibited for Probate and every part & clause thereof is the last Will & Testament of Elias L. CRANFORD, deceased, Which said Last Will & Testament is in the words & figures following to wit:-

"I, Elias L. CRANFORD of the county of Rowan and State of North Carolina being of sound mind & memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make & declare this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following that is to say-   first that my execution hereinafter named named shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my Relatives & friend and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts, Howsoever & to whomsoever owing out of the moneys that may come into his hands as a part & parcel of my estate.   Item, I give and devise to my beloved wife Jane one Hundred acres of land known as the Lin land including that twenty one acres & so much of the home tract as to make the balance of the one Hundred acres taken of of the East side of the home tract including the mansion house and all the buildings pertaining thereto be her absolute property as long as She shall live and after her death, the said Tract of One Hundred acres shall go to my daughter L. M. CRANFORD to be her absolute property.  Also I will to my beloved wife two cows and calves her choice, two beds and furniture her choice, one bureau & six chairs, cooking utensils, knives & forks, all the stock of Hogs, one sorrel mare, one table.  Item I will unto my daughter Minerva S. CRANFORD one Bed and furniture, one cow & calf to be her absolute property.  My Will is that the Remainder of my land not disposed of bee bee sold by my Executor and the proceeds be Equally divided between all of my children share & share alike.  And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my trusty friend John D. REDWINE my lawful executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my last Will & Testament according to the true intent & mean of the same and every part and clause thare of hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and testaments heretifore made.   In witness whereof I the said Elias L. CRANFORD do hereunto set my hand & seal on this the Eleventh day of April A.D. 1873, one thousand Eight Hundred & seveinty three                      

Signed sealed and published and declared by the said Elias L. CRANFORD to bee his last will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request & in his presence do subscribe our names as witnesses hereto.                                                                                                 Elias (his X mark) CRANFORD {seal}    

                              John F. MILLER    

                              Edward MOSS