In the Name of God Amen. I John G. Davis of SumterDistrict and
[interlined:]State of
South Carolina, Planter, Calling to mind that it is appointed for all men once to die, and being weak of body, but of Sound mind memory and Understanding, do make Constitute and Ordain this my last Will and Testament, revoking all others by me heretoforemade

First, It is my desire that my Body be buried in adecent Christian manner, at the discretion of my Executors hereafter Named.

As to my worldly Goods which it has pleased God to bless me with, I wish disposed of in the following manner, It is my desire that all my Lawful debts be first paid.

Item, I give and bequeath to my beloved Wife MarthaH. G. Davis, my Carriage and pair of Horses and my Mulattoe Girl namedBinkey. I also give and bequeath to my wife Martha H. G. Davis, an equal portion with my Children of my personal estate, to be taken in the following manner, I wish my Executors as soon as is practicable after my death to give her all the Negroes that I got by her Should they not exceed a Childs part but should they exceed a childs part inNumber to be taken of by draft Until reduced to a Childs part. And in like manner should they Not amount to a childs part, a draft to made out of my Other Negroes Until she gets the Number required to her proper use and behoof forever, and to be her full portion of my real and personal Estate in Lieu of her Dower, It is also my desirethat She reside on the place where I now live on Wyboo and to have all the use of Furniture and Lands to work her Negroes on during the time she remains my Widow.

Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved DaughterMalvina Adeline Loudsiska Davis One Negro Girl between the age ofsixteen and twenty years in Lieu of her portion of my Landed Estate,To be drawn from among the sound and healthy Negroes of this description not mentioned in my wifes part, when she arrives at the age of Twenty-one Years or marries.

Item It is my will and desire that the balance ofmy personal Property after taking out my wifes and Daughters parts before Mentioned together with all Stock of Horses, Mules, Cattle, Hogs &C not before Mentioned to be equally divided between my five Children, my Daughter Malvina Adeline Loudciska Davis, and my Sons John Gamble Davis, James McDonald Davis, William Mazick Davis,and Edward Bertrand Davis, as Soon as they arrive at the age of Twenty-one Years or Marry.

Item. It is my Will and desire that my Executorsmake an equal arrangement as possible of my Lands and devide them between my four Sons before Named or as many of them as may be living when my personal estate is divided. It is also my will and desire that my Sons take among them my Mechanics as a part of the portion above allotted them, and Should I hereafter have any more Lawful Issue, if Sons, It is my will that they should share my Lands equally with my four Sons above Named and my Personal estatewith my five Children above named. And if Daughters for them to have one Negro Girl of the age and description of the One given tomy Daughter above Named and then to share my personal estate equal with my five Children above Named. But should either of my Children die before they arrive at the age of Twenty-one Years Or leave no lawful Issue, the portion of the personal Property which they were to receive to be equally divided between the Surviving Sons.

Item It is my will and desire that my Stock of Cattle and hogs be kept on the plantation for the Use of my Wife and Children. It is also my will and desire that my Daughter be educated at the discretion of her mother, who I hope will recollect her income and be governed thereby, and that my Sons should have as good an education given them as the income of their Property will Admit. -------

Item. It is my desire that my Executors should employ a good Overseer to attend to the Business of the plantation,and keep all the hands on this or any Other of my plantations they may Judge to be most to the Interest of my heirs, and if my wife wishes to work her Negroes with the Childrens, my Executors are requested to include them in the Contract with the Overseer.

Lastly I Constitute and appoint my beloved friends Samuel E Nelson, John B. Miller and Richard J. Manning Executors to this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Seventeenth day of June in the year of Our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and Twenty three and in the Forty-Seventh Year of American Independence -------

The words (State of) Interlined between the first and Second lines before Signed

John G Davis {SEAL}

Signed Sealed and acknowledged
In the presence of -------

Saml. Bennett ----
Saml. Cantey
William Lesesne

(Recorded in Will Book D 1 page 22)

(Recorded July 25th 1823)

William Potts Ordy S.D.

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