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There were several men named John Pringle who lived at various time in Old Sumter District. This particular John Pringle was murdered by his slaves while working near the Black River; he and his wife are buried in the small cemetery next to old Mayewood High School (now a middle school) on Brewington Road in Sumter County. A Mr. Fincher owns the property

Submitted by Dolores M. Pringle on March 30, 1999; this information has been transcribed exactly as the original appears in respect to spelling and grammar; additions by the submitter for the purpose of clarification are enclosed in brackets [ ];

In the name of God Amen. I John Pringle of Sumter District in the State of South Carolina being of Sound mind do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following (To wit) After the payment of my debts I give in trust to E. Pringle and Doc. R. Durant two hundred and fifty dollars for Ralph Baker, an adopted son of mine. To be applied by said trustee to such purposes as shall to him seem most to the interest of said Ralph Baker. And I hereby charge my whole estate with the payment thereof- 2nd. I will and devise the plantation or tract of land whereon I now live, two negroes, two horses, six cows and calves. Six head of stock hogs. with the increase of negroes and stock. to my wife Elizabeth [Newman] Pringle during her natural life she to make choice and select the two negroes from among the whole of my slaves- 3rd. I will and bequeath in trust to Elizabeth Pringle and Doctor Robert Durant three negroes and their increase for the sole and separate use of my Daughter Sarah E. [Elizabeth] Foxworth ---during her natural life and after her death to such child or children as she may leave alive in equal portions the children or child of any deceased child taking the parents part share and share alike. but should my said daughter die without leaving child or children then the whole of Said negroes and increase to return to my Estate and be equally divided among my other three Daughters and their children subject to the said trustees of my said Daughter Sarah E. Foxworth do not permit to hold permission of said negroes. but that they hire them out and pay her annually the proceeds of the hire. and I leave it entirely to the Judgement of my executors to make the Selection of Said three negroes for my Daughter. 4th. All the rest and residue of my Estate not already disposed of I will and bequeath in trust to the said Elijah PRINGLE [his brother] and Doctor Robert Durant for the sole and separate use of my three Daughters Lavinia I. Pringle, Mary S. Pringle and Martha Leah Ann Pringle in Equal portions (with this Exception) that my Daughter Martha Leah Ann do receive two negroes more than her equal share with my other two Daughters named in this clause of my will. or the fair value of one negro more than the other two. and also that my Daughter Sarah E. Foxworth be permitted to six share Equally in the stock of horses Cattle and hogs but not more and this her portion of stock to Subject to the same trust as the three negroes given to her - all the rest and residu remainder (with the Exceptions named) of my Estate thus given in trust for my Said three Daughters Lavinia I. Mary S. and Martha Leah Ann - I give in trust together with the increase thereof for their use during life. and aftert heir death in Equal portions to Such child or children as they may leave alive. the children of any deceased child taking their parents part share and share alike Subject to the same trusts as before names, and should Either of my Said three Daughters die leaving no child or children then her part to be Equally divided between my other two Daughters and thei children subjected to the same trusts as before mentioned and it is further my will that the said trustees do permit my said three daughters Lavinia I. Mary S. and Martha Leah Ann to have possesion of the negroes that may fall to them in the division of my Estate as also the Stock and use and occupying -- of my lands (after the death of my wife) 5th. After the death of my wife I will and devise the whole of my lands together with the negroes and their increase and stock given to my wife during life. in Equal portions to my said three Daughters Lavinia I. Mary S. and Martha Leah Ann Pringle during life and after their death to their children subject nevertheless to the same trusts as before named and lastly I nominate and appoint Elijah Pringle and Doctor Robert Dtysmy Executors by calling four or five Judeceous men together for that purpose. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal March 6, 1847 - (words they my & child interlined before signing)

Witnessed by us

James PRINGLE

James W. FULLWOOD

W. H. PRINGLE

Recorded Will Book D-2, Page 320

Recorded Jan 17th, 1850

W. Lewis, Ordy

Bundle 125 - Package 24.

Notes: Sarah Elizabeth Pringle married Thomas D. Foxworth; Lavinia I. Pringle married William McCoy; Mary S. Pringle married James B. Brunson; Martha Leah Ann Pringle married 1st) Marcus D.Lee and 2nd) ??? Yates.