WILL:

On Jan 28, 1870 in Buncombe Co., NC. copy as follows

In the name of God, I, Benjamin Curtis, residing on North Hominy, County of Buncombe, State of North Carolina. . . (preliminaries) . . . to my wife, Susan, all my home lands including the dwelling and all my mountain lands excepting 75 acres in the gap of the mountain where William Moore now lives and hold lease from me, for during her lifetime or widowhood for her use and such of my children as may remain single and unmarried. . . . further to my wife . . . such stock sufficient for her use and such of my children that may be with her and unmarried . . . to include Julia McFee who is now one of my family provided she remains with my wife as one of the family, and on condition that this Julia McFee, my wife's niece, should remain with my wife and give her such assistance as is reasonable til the death of my said wife Susan, or til she arrives at the age of 21, that then I request that said wife Susan permit said nease one cow and one calf, also one bed, (etc.)

... having given to my son W. H. Curtis ... confirm to him the right of property already given . . . land by deed plus other property to the value of $500.00... nothing more.
.. having given to my son Joshua C. Curtis by deed, also a horse and other property to the value of $716.50, I hereby confirm the right of said property to him by his paying to my daughter] Julia A., wife of William Person, $150 . . . $125 of which he has already paid. Also he is to pay Celia D., Wife of S. F. Young $50.00 which he agreed to do, etc . . .On the land where William Muse now lives there are two or three good walnut trees. If I do not get them from there, Joshua C. Curtis is to have them, provided he gets them from there in one year after my decease . . . Having given to my daughter Jane, formerly wife of James M. Young, deceased, now wife of William Miller a cow and a calf, H. H. (household) furniture and stock valued at $43.00, I confirm it to her, giving her nothing further considering the land she now lives on was bought by her first husband from me and paid for in Confederate money, greatly to her disadvantage and to my loss ... Having given to my daughter Mary C. Curtis and her heirs, etc . . . 75 acres where William Muse now lives in what is called the Ballew Cove . . . the same was granted to me by the State of North Carolina also one cow and bed, supposed to be worth $30.00. No price set on the land. . . . to my youngest daughters, Elizabeth S. Curtis and Susan M. Curtis, the land on which I now live . . . the same being the land set apart to my wife Susan in this will, for her lifetime or widowhood.
Executor: J. C. L. Gudger, 20th day of Jan. 1870 AD. B. J. Curtis. Witnesses: W. Y. Morgan; Samuel B. Gudger. Probated - 28th day of Feb. 1870. J. E. Reed, Judge of Probate.

Book B. Pages 23-28.
North Carolina, Probate Court of Buncombe County. To J. E. Reed, Judge of Probate. The undersigned applies to have the last will and testament of B. J. CURTIS admitted to probate and shows:
1. That B.J. Curtis late of Buncombe County, is dead . . . that he died on 23rd February, 1870.
2. That he left a will and appointed the undersigned his executor.
3. That he left valuable property .. .
All parties interested: Susan Curtis, widow; W. H. Curtis; Celia B. Young, wife of S. F. Young; Julia A. Person, wife of W.D. Person; Jane Miller, wife of Williams Miller; Mary Curtis, Elizabeth S. Curtis; Joshua C. Curtis; S.M. [Susan] Curtis; Julia E. McFee. All said parties reside in Buncombe County.
Susan M. Curtis is a minor - no guardian; W. H. Curtis is gdn. for minor Julia C. McFee. Executor J. C. L. Gudger.6