There is a possibility that I may also descend from Robert a second way, via his daughter Sarah who married Joseph Black. I am about 75% sure that one of their children was named Margaret Black, who later married (what would have been) her 1st cousin, John Patterson, son of Thomas. I know what you're thinking... Don't ask! At any rate, this last link has not been proven thus far. This John Patterson is the same John who is named in the will, and his signature is one of the faint ones on the will, probably not visible on these images.
Here are a few pictures taken Saturday. I have more and will be adding them to my website soon.
But for now, I wanted to go ahead and post these, starting with a picture of Harald Reksten and me holding the will, courtesy of Diane Reksten (Harald's wife). Harald is on the right, while yours truly (Wes Patterson) is on the left. Enjoy... (by the way, you may click on each image to view a larger version of it.)
The following pages are Page 1 and Page 4:
The following page is the first visible page, but it is actually Page 2 of the will. Notice that Robert made his mark with an "R" at the bottom right. His witnesses were Nathaniel Harrison and James Dickie.
And the next page is Page 3. Notice all the various signatures, added between 1775 and 1791 when the final probate occurred.
June 2017 Addendum
Here is the text of the will itself.
In the name of God Amen the Twenty First day of July 1775 I Robert Patterson of Craven County farmer being very sick and weake in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be unto God, therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do maeke and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say Principally and first of all I give and recommend my Soul into the hands of almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shal receive the same again by the mighty power of God: and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form
And first of all I constituet make and ordain my beloved wife Sarah and my beloved sons Robert and Peter to be my whole and sole Executors of this my last Will and testament all and singular my lands messuages and tenements whith all household goods dets and moveable affects by them to be executed according to law and for them said Executors to take care and see that all and every one of my beloved family shall have there full share as I shall appoint
Imprimise I give and bequeath to Sarah my dearly beloved wife her full thirds of all my moveable affects and the homestead place till my son William comes of age and half afterwards while she lives and her hors and saddle.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas fifty pounds lawfull mony of South Carolina to be leveed out of my estate and all my cloathes except my fir hat and one gray three year old mare and colt to his son John.
I likewise give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah one cow and calf, and what is between Joseph and me.
I likewise give unto my son William the homestead place after his mother's decease all only from where the line crosses the road that goes to Peter's old place and straight & cors to the old saw pit below the muddy branch and straight on to the outside line and from that said line down to Peter.
I likewise give and bequeath unto my sons Peter and Robert each of them an equal part of my land and clams in the province of Virginia.
I likewis give and bequeath unto my children all and every one of them is now single with my daughter's Elisebeth and Lydia each of them an equal part of the remainder of my movable affects by all and every one of them freely to be possesed and enjoyed: and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and every other formal testaments wills legacies and bequeaths and Executors by me in any wise before named willed and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written
Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the said Robert Patterson as his last will and testament in the presence of us the Subscribers Nathaniel Harrison, James Dickie
Robrt (R) Patterson
Personally appered James Dickey and Nathaneal Harreson before me and maketh oath as the Law Dericts that the order Presant and Seen Robt. Petterson Dezed Sinc the within will as it now stands as his last will and that he was in his proper Senses and that the other witnesses to the same. Sworn by me this ---- third day of November 1775.
Signed: James Dickie, Nathaniel Harryn. Sam Swann, J.P.