1840 Will - John Reaves
Introduction
Sumter County, AlabamaWill Book A, p126
4 Aug 1840
Transcript
Know all men by these presents that I John Reaves of Sumter County in the State of Alabama being weak in body but of sound mind & being desirous of making a deposition of my property for the benefit of my family make this my last will and testament.Firstly I bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy Reaves one third of all my estate to her own special use and benefit to (?) and dispose of as she may deem proper.
Secondly My will is that my said wife shall have as a part of her portion two certain negroes a man named Crate & a woman named Jane at the price of valuation of the Commissioner who shall appraise my estate
Thirdly I bequeath to my son William Reaves a certain horse called Tom and Eighty dollars in cash of South Carolina money to be received by him this present month the balance of his portion to be paid him when he shall be twenty one years of age.
Fourthly I bequeath to all my children the remainder of my estate after my just debts are paid to be divided equally among them children miner as follows Elizabeth Reaves William Reaves Sarah Reaves Susannah Isabel Jane Reaves and Jenny? Reaves
Fifthly I appoint my wife Nancy Reaves sole executrix of this my last will and testament with power to appoint commissioners to appraise my estate and to carry into execute each and every part of this my last will
Sixthly my will is that my said executrix shall have full power to dispose of the property in manner? as she may deem for the best interest of the family without giving any bond for the faithful discharge of the duties of executrix
John (his x mark) Reaves
Executed & signed this third day of
August AD 1840
Witness A Brackitt Yancy W Bedman
The State of Alabama }
Sumter County }
Personally came Yency W Bedman before me Henry F Scruggs judge of the orphans court of said County and being sworn as the law directs say that John Reaves signed sealed and published and declared the foregoing to be list last will and testament on the 30 day of August 1840 in presence of A Brackett as in his presence (?) of sound and disposing mind and memory and that he this deponent and said Brackett signed the same as witness in presence of the Testator and in the presences of each other Given under my hand this the 3rd day of October AD 1841
Henry F Scruggs judge CCLC