Wills of Joseph Wilson,
Names contained in this document: Wilson,
Kelly, Kendall, Echols
State of
In the name of God amen. I Joseph Wilson of the state and county aforesaid being in a low state of health and calling to mind the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life have thought proper to make this my last will and testament.
First in case of my death, I want all my just debts paid as soon as convenient and if need should require in order to do so, I want two negroes, viz. Harry and Cate sold.
Secondly, as respects my eight daughters, to wit, Michal, Polly, Alcey, Lucy, Sally, Ginny, Betsey and Becca, besides other special gifts this day made to them in writing, I want my piece of land in Jasper County 2nd district No. 31 sold and the money divided between them, also I want them to have a good bed and furniture and a good one hundred dollar horse, saddle and bridle given to them. The gifts not delivered until they marry.
As respects my three sons, to wit, Abel, Joseph and Benjamin Jackson, besides other special gifts made to them this day in writing as they arrive at one and twenty years old, I want them to have a good bed and furniture and a good hundred dollar horse, saddle and bridle, also when son Ben Jackson gets to twenty one years old, I want a division of my other lands, to wit, that in Munroe county 13th District, No. 29 to be equally divided according to value between Abel and Joseph and the place whereon I now live in Jasper to Benjamin Jackson.
And now as respects my wife Sally Wilson, I give her all and every of my property of what kind so ever, that I have not otherwise appropriated in this will and also in a deed of gift of equal date with this during her life time, and one negro woman by the name of Chane forever to do what she pleases at her death, the other at her death to be equally divided amongst all my children, in return I expect for her to board, clothe and school the rising family free from charge and lastly I appoint my beloved wife Sally Wilson and my two sons Abel and Joseph Wilson the managers of my estate this last will and testament.
After more mature reflection I have concluded to arrange my lands as follows, which I subjoin by way of codicil to wit, if my sons, Abel and Joseph should want their part of the Monroe land, when they or either of them may marry or come of age, they or either of them may have portions of their respective parts then by their paying four hundred dollars each into the estate of forty dollars each every year for ten years, and further for the Jasper land whereon I now live to be for the use and for the home for my wife during her lifetime and then to belong to my son Benjamin Jackson, also I want it more fully understood that my wife is to have for the purpose of maintaining of the family, etc., etc., the benefit of the Monroe land as is above stated, also the Jasper land, also the following negroes, Lewis, Isbel, Harry, Cate, Nance, Sara, Steve, Rube and Chane, also all household and kitchen furniture, stock of all kind and every thing that is not otherwise given, this as well as the profits and incomes to enable her to pay the debts and raise and equip the family and then at her death, an equal division in all except the negro woman,
Chane, as before stated to do as she pleases with her.
Given under my hand and seal this
Joseph Wilson
Witness:
Allen Kelly
Obadiah Echols
I further annex by way of codicil to the foregoing will,
first I repeal and abolish all that I have done in the foregoing will as
respects my tract of land in Monroe County and secondly substitute in lieu
thereof the following, to wit, I want the Monroe tract of land sold and the money
arising from the sale to go as follows, for my two sons, Abel and Joseph to
have five hundred dollars each, and the balance to go toward the payment of my
debts. This last I say is my will in
that particular, hereby revoking all other in the case of the
Signed this 8th of September 1822 in presence of
Obediah Echols
Allen Kelly
Isaac Kendall
Joseph Wilson
These documents are in possession of Harry Wilson (Hornridge@aol.com)
Transcribed by Suzanne Forte (suzanneforte@bellsouth.net) October 2004