|
Georgia, Monroe County
The Last Will and Testament of John Gardner, of said County |
| In the name of God, Amen. |
| I John Gardner of said county and state, being of advanced age and
knowing that I must shortly die, being it right and proper to make a distribution
of my effects both real and personal, with which a king, providence has
blessed me, making this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all
others here to for made by me. My soul I trust will return to God who gave
it as I trust for salvation through the blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
whose religion I have professed, and have enjoyed for more than forty years. |
| Item 1st: I desire and direct that my body be buried in a Christian
and decent manner suitable to my circumstances and condition in life. |
| Item 2nd: I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid as soon
that it is practical to do so by my executor hereinafter named. |
| Item 3rd: I will and bequeath to my granddaughter and daughter Ingram,
one hundred dollars in cash. |
| Item 4th: I will and bequeath to my daugher Delphia Ingram (wife of
Joseph Ingram) five dollars in cash. |
| Item 5th: I will and bequeath to my grandchildren John Ingram, Elizabeth
Ingram, Mary Sikes (wife of George Sykes), Joseph Ingram, William Ingram,
Samuel Ingram, and Susan Ingram – seven hundred dollars. |
| Item 6th: I direct that all my lands, household stock, household kitchen
furniture and everything else that I possess be sold except my negro property.
That after paying my debts and expenses that may accrue in executing this
my last will and testament and after paying all the several amounts mentioned
in the third, fourth, and fifth items of this my will and testament, the
then remaining portion of money in connection with the following named
negroes. Lewis, a man about thirty years old, of light complexion. Ellen,
a woman about forty years old. Minty, a woman about forty years old. Moriah,
a woman about thirty years old. Kels, a man about twenty years old. Ben,
a boy about fourteen years old. Chastity, a girl about ten years old Vina,
a girl about ten years old. Karrey, a girl about three years old. Be equally
divided among the following named children of mine. Viz: Frederick Gardner,
Elizabeth McKey (wife of William McKey), Mary Duke (wife of John E. Duke),
John M. Gardner, Elijah Gardner, Leethy Johnston, Sarah Poe (wife of Daniel
Poe), each and rendering in what he or she has received heretofore. |
| Item 7th: Having never heretofore given off anything to my daughter
Mary Duke (wife of John Duke) and being desirous of making her as near
equal as the circumstances by which I am surrounded will admit of which
my children as mentioned in the sixth item of this my last will and testament.
And whereas I am now involved in a law suit in said county and state for
a certain negro woman and her four children Viz: Laura about thirty years
old of light complexion, Joe a boy about six years old, a boy about four
years old, Kiz a girl about two years old, and Henry a boy about nine months
old; now if I or my estate receives said negroes pending in said lawsuit
this and in that case I will and bequeath to my said Mary Duke (wife of
John Duke) said negroes. |
| Item the 8th: I appoint my worthy and trusty son James Gardner and
my worthy and trusty son-in-law, John E. Duke, my executors to this my
last will and testament. Whereof I now say amen. |
| John (his mark) Gardner |
| Sworn to and subscribed before me, J. Stephen Bray, November 1860 |
| Witnesses: Edmund Dumas, J.L. Masters, James M. Butler |
| The will was drawn April 24, 1856 in the presence of Edmund Dumas,
J.L. Masters, Frank W. Frambo, and James M. Butler |
SOURCE: Received from generous
genealogy researcher Van Gardner of Georgia
|
