Will of Anthony Dyer
Will Book 14 - Page 65
Jasper County, Georgia
Dated October 18, 1849 (Codicil dated March 3, 1852)
Surnames contained in the document: Dyer, Whitfield, Hill, Grinnell, Jordan, Burney, Hungerford)
State of Georgia, Jasper County
I, Anthony Dyer, of said state and county, being impressed with the belief that it is both right and proper to make such a disposition as is compatible with my wishes of the property belonging to me, do therefore, make this my last will and testament.
Item 1st: After my death, I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner, suitable to my circumstances and condition in life.
Item 2nd: I desire and direct that such debts as I may be owing at the time of my death be paid by my executor hereinafter appointed with out delay.
Item 3rd: I give and bequeath to my son, John R. Dyer, as trustee and in trust for my wife, Sarah Dyer and for her sold and separate use, during her natural life, five thousand dollars in Georgia six per centum state bonds. She to receive the interest due upon said bonds as it may fall due and only the interest from the trustee and I also further give and bequeath to my said son, John R. Dyer as trustee and in trust for my wife, Sarah Dyer and for her sole and separate use during her natural life, the following property (to wit) a negro man Abraham and his wife Jane and her three children, Montgomery, Nathan and Enoch and her future increase and a negro boy known and distinguished by the name of Abe, also the house and lot whereon I now live in Monticello and all my lands in Jasper County, all my stocks of cattle and hogs, house bell and kitchen furniture, plantation utensils, corn and fodder and two horses such as she may choose out of the horses on hand at the time of my death, and after the death of my wife, Sarah, I give and bequeath the five thousand dollars in Georgia Six per centum State bonds and all the other property mentioned in the items of my will, to my son, Otis Dyer, my son John R. Dyer, my daughter, Caroline Whitfield. Share and share alike and to my grand children (viz) the children of my daughter Julia Hill, deceased wife of John Hill and Elizabeth Grinnell, deceased wife of Peter Grinnell two share to be equally divided between them as it is my will and desire that they shall have the portion that their mothers would have been entitled to were they in life at the time of my death.
4th Item: The balance of my property of every description whatsoever, real and personal I give and bequeath to my son Otis Dyer, my son John R. Dyer, my daughter Caroline Whitfield, share and share alike and also two share to my grand children to wit, the children of my daughters Julia Hill, deceased wife of John Hill and Elizabeth Grinnell, deceased wife of Peter Grinnell, said two share to be equally divided between them and that my wishes may be fully understood I intend for said grand children to have the portion out of my estate that their mothers would have inherited were they in life at the time of my death.
5th item: For my daughter, Mahala Dyer, of Providence, Rhode Island, I consider that I have made an ample and liberal provision heretofore by advancements at different times in money and bank stock.
6th item: It is my will and desire that if for the purposes of distribution it should become necessary to sell any or all of my negroes that my executors do so either privately or at public sale as he may think proper and he is hereby vested with full power and authority to do so.
7th item: It is my wish and desire that all advancements made by me to my children and grand children during my life be taken into the computation at the time of the distribution of my estate as herefore provided for and that such advancements be estimated according to the value of the property at the time such advancements were made.
8th Item: I hereby constitute and approve my son John R. Dyer, executor of this my lat will and testament to carry the same into effect according to the provisions thereof. This October the eighteenth in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.
ANTHONY DYER
Signed, Sealed, declared and published by Anthony Dyer as his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers who subscribed our names hereto in the presence of said testator at his special instance and request and in the presence of each other. This October the eighteenth in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.
J. W. Burney
Charles Jordan
Anson Hungerford, Jr.
Page 67, Will Book 14
Georgia, Jasper County - Codicil
Whereas, I Anthony Dyer did on the eighteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine, sign seal and declare and publish my last will and testament in the presence of John W. Burner, Charles S. Jordan and Anson Hungerford, Jr., who signed the said will and testament as witnesses and whereas I wish to appoint another executor to said will to aid and assist my son, John R. Dyer, appointed executor in the will above mentioned, I therefore make and publish this codicil to said will:
First I hereby constitute and appoint my friend, Charles S. Jordan of said State and County one of my executors to my will in connection with my son John R. Dyer to settle my estate after my death. This March 3rd 1852.
ANTHONY DYER