Will of James Reeves
Carroll County, Georgia
Will Book A, pgs 36-38
13 Feb 1858
Transcription
Georgia Carroll § In the name of God Amen I, James ReevesCounty § of said County being now of Sound
mind mind (sic) and memory But in a low State of health and Knowing that all must die have and do make and constitute and ordain this my last Will and Testament
Item 1st My Body to the Earth to be Buried in a decent and Christianlike manner according to my circumstances in life And I recommend my soul to God who gave it hopeing and believing that through the Mediation of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ they will be Reunited and raised to everlasting life
Item 2d I desire that my Executors pay all my Just debts without delay
Item 3rd I give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Nancy Reeves my negro man Luke, my negro Woman Serena and their two children Margaret and Malinda about 4 & 2 years old, to hold the same for and during her natural life
Item 4th I give to my beloved son Humphrey Posey Reeves one third of my land in Arkansas being the land purchased by Milton R. Reeves for the Installments unpaid to be paid out of General fund. The said land so disposed of to be the Joint-property of my said (blank) and his mother during her natural life, and at her death to be the absolute property of said Humphrey P. Reeves. I also give to the said Humphrey P. Reeves, the said negro Girl Margaret above named about 4 years old to be his at the death of my said Wife Nancy or before at the discretion of the said Nancy if she may so direct. I also give to my said Son Humphrey Posey Reeves Five hundred dollars out of the last sale of the negroes after his mothers Estate in them is ended. I also give unto my said wife Nancy in the proceeds of the Sale of said negroes after (“her” written above line) the death the Sum of two hundred and Seventy five dollars to be disposed of by her at her death as she thinks proper and as She may direct
Item 5th I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Milton R. Reeves one third of my said land in Arkansas after the Installments are all paid out of my general fund - I also give to my said Son Milton R. My negro Boy Wesley about Eleven years old
Item 6th I give and bequeath unto my beloved Son Joel Avery Reeves the Remaining third of the said tract of land in Arkansas after the same is paid for out of my general fund and Also a negro Girl July about 13 years old
Item 7th I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy and my beloved Son Humphrey Posey the land and plantation where I now live lot No 254 sixth district Carroll 140 acres together with the Stock plantation tools House and Kitchen furniture & so long as they may wish to live on the Same and if they wish to move then I desire that the said Nancy sell the same and apply the proceeds to the Joint use of her and said Humphrey In moving and Settling themselves in the West or where they may desire
Item 8th At the death of my said wife Nancy Reeves I wish my Executors to sell the said negroe man Luke and his wife Serena and their Children excepting Margaret otherwise disposed of) And after paying out of said fund arising from said Sale any amounts above disposed of the balance together with any other property or effects or residue of estate that may remain to be disposed of among the children as my Executors may think proper having regard to the circumstances and needs of them and their legal representatives including all my children & their Descendants
Item 9th I constitute and appoint my beloved Sons Jabeas P. M. Reeves and James F. Reeves my executors to carry this my last Will & Testament into effect
James Reeves (LS)
Signed Sealed declared & published as the last Will and Testament of James Reeves who signed the same in our presence and we and each of signed the same in the presence of the Testator and of each other as witnesses this 13th day of February 1858.
Wingeit H.Turner
Joseph A. Daniel
Thornton Burk
Georgia Carroll § Court of Ordinary
County § June Term 1858. In Open Court personally
Came James F. Reeves one of the Executors of the last Will and Testament of James Reeves late of said County deceased and produced before this Court the last Will and Testament of the said James Reeves Deceased and makes oath to the same being duly Executed by the said Testator and subscribed by the Witnesses therein named to wit Wingeit (?) H. Turner Joseph A. Daniel and Thornton Burke and that deponents believes that at the time of the Executing the same said Testator was of sound & disposing mind and memory
Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court.
J. M. Blalock O.C.C. James F. Reeves
Recorded June 8th 1858. J. M. Blalock O.C.C.