The Last Will of David Strickland, decd.
State of Georgia
Hancock County
Whereas I, David Strickland of the county and state aforesaid, now advanced in years and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die and calling to remembrance that my end approaches, and whereas God has blessed me with some of this world's goods, which I desire that wife sons and daughters should have the sole benefit of after my death, and now being in my proper senses and reason; do hereby declare this to be my last Will and Testament , which is as follows (viz)
First of all I recommend my body to the grave and my soul to God who gave it.
2nd I desire that my lawful debts be paid out of my estate.
3rd I give and bequeath to my son Thomas, a part of the tract or parcel of land lying in the south end of the survey whereon I now live, the land to be surveyed in the following manner to wit: beginning where the south line crosses the creek, thence up said Creek to the first draw that runs in on the East side of said Creek, next above the plantation whereon Harry Strickland now lives, thence up said draw to the head thereof, thence to the road leading from John Barrows to M-----t Peter thence southerly along said road to the old line, thence along the line westwardly to the creek at the beginning, together with the plantation and all the rights and members thereof to him and his heirs forever to have and to hold in fee simple.
Also I give and bequeath all the remainder of my land together with the plantation where I now live with all its rights and members unto my son Jeptha to have and to hold forever in fee simple. Also one feather bed and furniture and bedstead, also one note of hand on Ansel Hugeons for eleven dollars, also one note of hand on John Lamar.
6th I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Mourning Muse, one feather bed, furniture and bedstead, also one white cow with a black head and her yearling.
7th I give and bequeath unto my daughter Polly, one feather bed, furniture and bedstead.
8th I give and bequeath unto my daughter Vashty Lankester two ewes and lambs.
9th Also I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth the remainder of my stock of cattle, hogs and one young horse together with all the household furniture during her life and I do hereby choose, constitute and ordain Jeptha my son and John Barrows to be the sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament.
Signed with my hand and sealed with my seal this twenty fourth of March one thousand eight hundred and four, delivered in the presence of ...
