Will of James R. Webster
Anderson District, South Carolina
Will Book B, pg 114-116
19 Apr 1837
Transcription
South Carolina § In the name of God, AmenAnderson District § James R. Webster, being of Sound and disposing Mind and memory but weak in body and calling to mind the certainty of death and uncertainty of life, and being desirous to dispose of all Such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with, do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner following I.E. -
1st I will my body to the Grave from when it came, and my soul to God who gave it. 2nd I will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my personal estate. 3rd I will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Jane Webster, all that plantation or tract of Land whereon I now live, containing near Three Hundred acres, beginning at a Stake x 3 thence to a Post oak x 3 thence to a Stake x 3 thence to a Stone x 3 on the branch, thence to a poplar x 3 Thence to a Stone x3, on the Horry Road, then running the lines of my original Tract around, which included all that part of my real Estate that I design for her to have. 4th I will to my beloved wife the following personal property, viz - one negro man Harry, Two negro women Rinda and Sarah, with as much household and Kitchen furniture as She thinks necessary for the family that may be left with her, one years provision, Three choice Horses of my Stock, one waggon and gear, Sufficient plantation tools, twelve head of Cattle, four of which to be milk Cows with calves or yearlings, a Sufficient Stock of Hogs and Sheep which I leave her to select out of my Stock, to have and to hold during her natural life or widowhood; on condition She will raise the families of children of Rinda and Sarah for Ann & Margaret Webster which I hereinafter give to them; but at her death or marriage all the above natural property to be Sold and after a deduction of Seven Hundred and Eighty Dollars and 83 cents from the proceeds which amount to be equally divided between her five own children, according to her mothers will viz John Robinson an equal Share including Twenty five Dollars which he has received by bed and furniture. Hugh Robinson an equal Share; Elizabeth Armstrong an equal Share including Twenty five Dollars which She has received by bed and furniture; Ann and Margaret Webster each an equal Share. 5th After the above deduction the balance to be equally divided between my hereinafter after named Heirs. 6th I will to my two minor daughters, Ann and Margaret the following negroes, viz, I will to Ann Webster one negro boy Thompson, and one negro Girl Louisa, to Margaret Webster Two negro Girls, viz, Minerva and Mahala together with the whole increase of Rinda and Sarah, to be equally divided between them; also each to have an equal Share of what I have left my wife after the heretofore mentioned deductions which is all I intend for them of my estate. 7th I will to my daughter Henrietta Webster one good feather bed and furniture to make her equal with the Rest, also one Cow and Calf. 8th I will the balance of my estate both real and personal Consisting of two tracts of Land, one negro woman Beck, one negro man Edmund, one other negro woman Eve and her family of children together with the remaining part of Stock of Horses, Cattle, Hogs, Sheep, Household and Kitchen furniture and every other article of property remaining at my decease to be Sold and divided as follows; viz, 1st I will to Ethalender Loveless, my daughter an equal Share. 2nd I will to the Heirs of my son, James R. Webster dec. an equal Share including Two Hundred and Twelve Dollars which he received before his death. 3rd I will to my son Henly Webster an equal Share including one Hundred and eighty one dollars which he has received. 4th I will to Arthur and Polly Smith, my daughter, an equal Share. 5th I will to Andrew J. and Elizabeth Reeve, my daughter an equal Share. 6th I will to my daughter Henrietta Webster an equal Share. 7th I will to the Heirs of my Daughter Nancy Kay dec. an equal Share to be equally divided between them. 8th If there Should be any ready money as noted on hand at my decease, I will to the same to be equally divided between my wife and Seven last named Heirs or their Heirs. 9th I will that, at the death of my wife or her marriage, what I have left to her be Sold and after the heretofore mentioned deduction is made the balance to be equally divided between Ethelender Loveless, the Heirs of James R. Webster dec. Henry Webster, Arthur and Polly Smith, Andrew J. and Elizabeth Reeve, the Heirs of Nancy Kay dec. Henrietta, Ann and Margaret Webster. 10th & Lastly, I do Constitute and appoint my friends Hugh Gantt and Arthur Smith, Executors of this my last will and Testament; my wish that Hugh Gantt attend to the part of Ann and Margaret Webster, and Arthur Smith to the rest of my Heirs. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand, and assigned my seal, this Nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Seven and Sixty first year of American Independence.
Signed and Sealed in the presence
of, George Mattison § James R. Webster (Seal)
William Long §
William P. Martin §
Ordinary’s Office § I, John Martin, Ordinary, certify that
Anderson District § the foregoing will was admitted to probate
S.C. § in Common form by the oath of William
P. Martin, and that the Sixth clause, which makes to Testator’s daughters Ann & Margaret certain bequests is alone in force, every other clause having been Superseded by testator’s Subsequent Will made and executed the third day of August, 1840, and which is herewith filed and recorded. Given under my hand and seal, the 14th December, 1840.
John Martin, (Seal)
O.A.D.