Will of John Hart

York District, South Carolina
WB G, Pg 126
23 Nov 1823

South Carolina } In the name of God Amen I John Hart of the District
York District    } and State aforesaid being weak in body but of Sound mind & disposing Memory Thanks be to God for the Same do make and declare this my Last will & Testament in manner & form following - first, it is my Will that my Negroe Man Alexander & whatever other property may be thought not necessary to be kept on the plantation be Sold & all my Just Debts paid & if these should be any overplus that it go into the General Stock - Second it is my will that my Beloved wife Rebeck Hart & my Children should Live & Remain on the present premises whereon I now Live so long as Shee Remains my Widow & hold all the property as it now stands not thought necessary to be Sold and my Widow comfortably supported my Children Schoold & maintained out of the profits arising from the Land & Negroes & if any overplus that it also go into the General Stock - Thirdly I Give & Bequeath to to (sic) my five Sons (viz) William, James, John, Harvey & Alves and their Heirs all that Tract of Land whereon I now Live with other pieces which I have purchased & is now attached to it the same to be equally Divided according to Quantity & Quality & the same given to them Respectively as they come of Age either by them occupying it or Selling to each other in Such a manner as not to enfringe on the part that may be thought necessary for the support of their Mother & the Younger children - fourthly it is my Will that all the Remainder of my property not heretofore named (Viz) My Mills & Land attached to them my negroes, Stock profits & increa that may be added to this General Stock To Be Divided into two Equal parts and the one part to be equally Divided amongst my five Sons above named & the other part equly Divided to my Wife and two Daughters (Viz) Elizabeth & Polly Each one to have their part when they come to full age or marry agreeable to the property that is then on hands - It is also my Will that my Wife should have the property above Named to her at the time the first Division takes place if She so choses & I allow her to hold occupy & enjoy Sd property during her Life & at her Death to dispose of the same whatsomever it may be either by increase or Decreas to my Children as She may think proper - And I do hereby nominate constitute & appoint my Wife Rebecka Hart Executrix & John Hart son of my Brother Wm. Hart Decd. Extr. of this my Last Will & Testament hereby Revoking and making Void all & every other Will & Wills at any time heretofore by me made and do Declare this to be my Last Will & Testament In Witness whereof I do hereunto Set my hand & Seal this 23rd Day of Novmr. Year of our Lord 1823.
The word given in the 18th line enterlined before signed
Signed & Acknowledged In presence of    }
Test Wiley Reeves                           John Hart (LS)
C. M. Hart

Probated 6 Dec 1823