Transcribed will of James Williams, Senior by Scott O. Fraser. Mistakes could be possibly found because of wording that is hard to read.
Will Book A,
I, James Williams,
Senior of
First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debt be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may die in possession of or may first come into the hands of my executors.
Second, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Anne Williams, one good horse, saddle and bridle, three feather beds, and furniture, one years provision, and fifteen hundred dollars in cash or property agreeable to our marriage contract. Forty dollars of which to be paid within one month after my death and the balance fourteen hundred and sixty dollars to be paid her, by my executors twelve months after administration upon my estate. I also give my wife Anne during her natural life time one hundred and fifty acres land 10 (ten) I reside to be laid off to include my dwelling house but not to include my small mill the same to be allotted off her by Joseph B. Boyd, Ralph Stegall and Jepthah Ezell as they may think will do the least injury to the balance of my land preceded my wife Anne relinquish her dower, and all the remains of my land and estate, and at the death of my wife the said one hundred and fifty acres of land is to return to my children. I have all ready given my wife and her friends six hundred and fifty dollars, as part of her interest and I also give her all the property on the place.
Item 3rd. It is my will and desire that all my children be made up equal with the ones that have received the largest amount from me in cash or property as soon as practicable by my executors.
Item 4th. It is my and desire that all of my lands except what I have bequeathed to my wife her life time be sold and equally divided between my children: Chesley Williams, Mary J. Brittian, Hiram Murdock and his wife Jane, William A. Williams, Robert N. Williams, James Williams, Junior, Cowden McCord and his wife Sarah, T.P.H. Morton and his wife Elizabeth A., Alfred O. Williams and his wife Martha M., and Elgin T. Williams.
Item 5th. It is my will and desire that all the remainder of my estate be sold and equally divided between my wife Anne Williams and my children Chesley Williams, Mary J. Brittian, Hiram Murdock and his wife Jane, William A. Williams, Robert N. Williams, James Williams, Jr., Cowden McCord and his wife Sarah. T.P.H. Morton and his wife Elizabeth A., Alfred O. Williams and his wife Martha M., and Elgin T. Williams. Share and share (alike) about until all is equally divided.
Lastly, I hereby nominate and appoint Chesley Williams and Hiram Murdock my executors, my executors, to witness this my last will and testament. In writings where of I do to this my will set my hand and seal this the 31st day of October 1850.
James Williams (seal)
Signed, sealed and published in
Our presence and we have subscribed
Our names thereunto in the presence
Of the testator. This
J.B. Shuffield, juriat
A.B. Julton, juriat
Jepthah Ezell