1858 Will - Frederic H. Reeves
Monroe County, Georgia
Will Book B, p247
9 Apr 1858
Transcript
Georgia }Monroe County }
In the name of God. Amen.
I Frederic H. Reeves of said County and State being of advanced age and of great bodily affliction and knowing that I must shortly die, deem it right and proper as it respects my self and family, to make a distribution of my effects with which a kind providence has blessed me, hereby making this my last will and testament and thereby revoking all others at any time made by me. My soul I trust when my body dies will rest with god who gave it as I hope for life and salvation through the blesses Lord and savior Jesus Christ, whose religion I hope and trust I have enjoyed in my own soul for thirty years, and whose blesses Gospel I have endeavored dissiminate, for the benefit of sinners and for the furtherance of the cause of a blessed Jesus, for many years and my Humble and sincere prayer is now that my Children, neighbors, friends and servants, that they all may heed the Heveanly injunction and prepare to meet their God in peace, for to meet with him they must, and being thus prepared I am sure that it will be well them, and that we shall not be separated after death.
Item 1st. I direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner.
Item 2nd. I direct that all my just debts be paid as soon as practicable as I am unwilling that they should unnecessarily be delaid, detremental to the interest of my creditors.
Item 3rd. I bequeath unto my son Benjamin F. Reeves and my two daughters Mary E. Darden wife of John H. Darden and Rebecca A. Askins (the wife of Franklin Askins) all of my Estate, both real and personal, and that after paying over to my step son David J. Porch five hundred Dollars exclusively of what he is owing me and all other necessary expenses according the promises to be equally divided among my said Children. I also further direct that my present crops, and all my estate remaining until next fall, until the crops is gathered in, and then all my property both real and personal be sold on a twelve months credit.
Item 4th. I bequeath unto Andrew J. Smith two hundred dollars which to be controled by Franklin Askins for the benefit of said Smith until he is twenty one years of age.
Item 5th. I appoint my worth and trusty son Benjamin F. Reeves and my two worthy and trusty son in laws John H. Darden and Franklin Askins my executors to execute and carry into effect this my last will and testament whereof I now say, Amen.
Given under my hand and seal this the 9th day of April 1858
F. H. Reeves (L S)
Signed sealed published and declared by the testator to be his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers signing as witnesses in the presence of the testator and in the presence of each other. This April 9th 1858
Jackson Bush
Isaac H. Butten
E Dumas
Personally appeared in open court Jackson Bush and Isaac H. Butten subscribing witnesses to the last will and testament of F. H. Reeves deceased who being duly sworn dispose and say they saw the said Frederic H. Reeves sign seal publish and declare the paper now presented as and for his last will and testament that he was at the date thereof of sound and disposing mind and memory and that he did the same freely voluntarily and without compulsion and that said witnesses subscribed the same in presence and at his special instance and request.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court
this 5th May 1858
John T. StephensJackson Bush
OrdinaryIsaac H. Butten