1842 Will - Mary R. Rives
Introduction
Lowndes County, AlabamaWill Book B, p118
24 Aug 1842
Transcript
In the name of God AmenI Mary R Rives of the County of Lowndes ad State of Alabama being weak and feeble in body but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following viz.
In the first place I yield my soul to Almighty God who gave it me, and my body to the dust whence it came to be interred in a decent and Christian like manner and as it regards the Earthly goods with which the Lord has blessed me in this world I give and bequeath as follows.
It is my will that all my just debts be paid together with my funeral expenses.
I give and bequeath to my son Robert Rives one negro man named Simon about thirty years of age and one of my best beds and furniture
I give and bequeath to my son Green Rives one of my best beds and furniture
I give and bequeath to the heirs of my daughter Mary R Meyer two beds and furniture to be sold by my executor on a credit of twelve months and the proceeds equally divided among them share and share alike.
I give and bequeath to my children Green Rives Robert Rives Lucy WD Harrison and to the heirs of my daughter Mary R. Meyer the remainder of my negroes with their increase to be divided into four lots as equally as practicable, by three commissioners to be chosen by my executor.
It is my will and desire that the Lot of Negroes drawn by the heirs of my daughter Mary R. Meyer be sold by my executors to the highest bidder on a credit of twelve months, and that he shall from the proceeds of said sale purchase a young likely negro woman and give her to my grandson Robert Meyer to him and his heirs forever. And that the balance of the proceeds of said sale of the lot drawn by my daughter Mary R Meyer be equally divided among her heirs share and share alike.
It is my will and desire that the lot of Negroes drawn by my daughter Lucy W Harrison be sold by my executor on a credit of twelve months and the proceeds be disposed of as herein after directed in Item 9.
It is my will and desire that my plantation and residence in Lowndes County, together with all my stock of Horses mules, Cattle Hogs &c and all the remaining Household and kitchen furniture not heretofore assigned of with my carriage and harness waggon and harness. Black Smith and Plantation tools ginns &c &c be sold by my executors after due and timely notice on a credit of twelve months on all sums over ten dollars, ad the proceeds of said sale equally divided among my four heirs as aforesaid to wit, Green Rives Robert Rives, Lucy W. Harrison and the heirs of Mary R. Meyer share and share alike.
It is my will and desire that the monies arising from the sale of property directed to be sold in Item 9 and her share of the proceeds of the sale of the property as directed to be sold in Item 8 of this my last Will and Testament be laid out in the purchase of a Gold Watch and a sett of gold or silver plate for my daughter Lucy W Harrison with my own name in full engraven on it as a memento of her departed Mother to be s? by herself and to be disposed of at her death as she may think proper.
It is further my will and desire that whenever a division of the proceeds of the sale of the property herein before divided to be sold shall take place among the heirs of my daughter Mary R Meyer decd the share going to or to be given to William R Meyer decd or to his heirs shall be applied to the payment of any debt that may be due and unpaid at that time from his estate to either of my sons Green Rives or Robert Rives and should there be more of said share there will discharge said debt or debts the remainder shall by equally divided among the lawful children of said William R Meyer.
I do hereby nominate and appoint my sons Green Rives and Robert Rives executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the Twenty fourth day of August AD One thousand Eight hundred and forty two.
Mary R (her x mark) Rives (seal)
Signed and sealed in presence of
W B Haralson
Jas W McQueen
Jas H Hickson
Charles B Lawrence
State of Alabama }
Lowndes County }
This day appeared in Open Court James W McQueen in his own proper person who after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was present and saw Mary R Rives deceased in her lifetime sign seal publish and declare the within instrument in writing as her last will and testament, and that the said Mary R Rives was at the time of making and signing the same said instrument purporting as aforesaid to be her last will and testament was of sound disposing mind, and memory, and that this deponent at the instance of the said Mary R Rives deceased did with W B Haralson James H Hickson and Charles B Lawrence sign and subscribe the same as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said Mary R. Rives deceased in her lifetime and in the presence of each other.
James W McQueen
Sworn to and subscribed
in open court April 4th
1843 in solemn form
Thomas M Williams S C C L C