1850 Will - Lawson Dimer Reaves
Introduction
Hinds County, MississippiProbate File 1116
Will Dated 11 May 1850; Codicil Dated 10 Jul 1850
Will & Codicil Proved 16 Oct 1850
Transcript
The Last will and Testament of me, Lawson Dimer Reaves, of the County of Hinds and State of MississippiTo my wife Mare E. Reaves now pregnant and the issue of that pregnancy, I give and bequeath all my estate, real, personal and mixed, under the directions and with the qualifications hereafter expressed
First, That my wife and the issue of her pregnancy have in equal proportion all my estate
Second, In case my wife survive the issue of her pregnancy, that she inherit all that portion of my estate that may have been allotted to my child or children, provided such child or children die without issue and my wife be unmarried. But if she marry at any time thereafter, or be married at the time of the death of my child or children, there and in that ?, I wish the portion of such child or children to go to my sister Martha Brown of Hardin County of the State of Tennessee, and at her death to go to her children by equal distribution. This is predicated wholly upon my child or children's dieing while minors.
Third. In case my wife die before my child or children, I wish the portion of my estate that may have been allotted to her to go to my child or children
Fourth. To my step-mother Lavina Reaves I give and bequeath one Hundred Dollars per year, during her life, to be paid out of my estate.
Fifth. After the expiration of two years, from my death, or as soon thereafter as communicated?, I wish a tombstone with my name upon it, to be put over my grave, to cash two hundred dollars.
Sixth. I do not wish any of my own relations, or any f the relations of my wife to have my any thing to do with the management of my estate.
Seventh. I hereby designate and appoint my wife my executrix, without security of any kind.
Eight. I also appoint my wife guardian of my child, or children, also without security of any kind. But in case my wife marry again I wish the Judge of the Probate Court to appoint a guardian for my child or children.
Given under my hand seal this the Eleventh of May, Eighteen Hundred and Fifty.
L. D. Reaves
Signed in presence of
W S Jones
John F Watson
Jesse Lott
OV Sheann
The State of Misissippi }
Hinds County } In the Probate Court of Said County at the October Term 1850
Personally appeared in Open Court W S Joes, Jesse Lott and O V Sheann? three of the subscribing witnesses the foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and Testament of L D. Reaves decd who first being duly sworn deposed and saith that the said L. D. Reaves signed sealed and delivered said instrument of writing in their presence on the day it bears date and that at the signing of the same he was of sound and disposing mind and memory and over 21 years of age. And after said instrument was read to him acknowledged it to be his last will & Testament they further depose and say that they signed their names to sad instrument as subscribing witnesses at the request of said testator, and in his presence and in the presence of each other on the day it bears date.
Sworn to and subscribed before }W S Jones
me October 16th 1850 }Jesse Lott
A N Johnston JudgeO. V. Sheann
The State of Misissippi }
Hinds County }
This day personally appeared in open Court, John F. Watson a subscribing witness to the foregoing will, who, being duly sworn, saith that he concurs in the above statement of W. S. Jones, Jesse Lott, & O V. Shearer?. in reference to the will hereto attached, except that he is not positive as to the precise date of the execution of said will, but believes it was executed about the date it bears.
Sworn to and subscribed }John F Watson
in open Court, Nov 14th 1850
A N Johston Judge
July 10th 1850 I make the following codicils to my will, on this sheet of paper.
1. That the bequeast to my step mother do not commence till one year after my death, as my estate may lie in debt.
2. That said bequest is to be reduced to fifty dollars per year, upon the marriage of my two half sisters, daughters of my step-mother
3. In the event of the death of my wife and the issue of her pregnancy, my estate is to descend to my sister Martha Brown of Hardin County of the State of Tennessee and in case of her death to her heirs as in my will.
4. In the event of the death of my wife a tombstone is to be placed over her grave to cash two hundred dollars
5. If my wife be not delivered of a living child, and should marry again, I wish half of my estate to go to my sister Martha Brown of Hardin County of the State of Tennessee, & to her heirs as in my will.
6. I wish the boy Willis now with my step-mother to remain with her five years from this time, and when he is taken away, that another boy of as much service to her as he is at this time he left unto her and one be continued with her she giving a receipt to ? him.
7. I hereby bequeath to my stepmother the piece of land on which she lives, containing about eight acres more or less
Given under my hand & seal, the date above written
L D Reaves
Signed in the presence of
W S Jones McKelva Bean
George W Taylor Alfred Pattey
O V Shearer Wm Sand
The State of Misissippi }
Hinds County } In the Probate Court of Said County at the October Term 1850
Personally appeared in open Court W S Jones O V Shearer McKelva Bean and Alfred Patton four of the subscribing witnessese to the foregoing and annexed instrument of writing purporting to be a codicil to the last will and Testament of L. D. Reaves decd who first being duly sworn deposeth and saith that the said L D Reaves signed sealed and delivered said instrument of writing in their presence on the day it bears date, and that at the time of signing the same he was of sound and disposing mind and memory and over 21 years of age and after hearing said instrument of writing read to him acknowledged it to be a codicil to his last will and testament. They further depose and say that they signed their ames as subscribing witnesses to said codicil at the request of said testator, and in his presence and in the presence of each other on the day it bears date.
Sworn to & subscribed before me }
October 16th 1850 }
A R? Johnston Judge
W. S Jones
O V Sheann
McKelva Bean
Alfred Patton
The State of Misissippi }
Hinds County }In the Probate Court of Said County November Term 1850
Personally appeared in open Court Wm Land one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be a codicil to the said will & Testament of L D Reaves decd who first being duly sworn deposith & saith that he entirely concedes? with & subscribes to the affidavit above signed by W S Jones & others
Sworn to & subscribed before me }Wm Land
November 11th 1850 }
W H Hamilton clk }