Will
of Alice M. Gerald
In the name of God Amen I Alice M Gerald of
South Carolina Sumter District being sick and weak of body but. of Sound and
disposing mind and memory blefsed be God for the same do make and publish this
my last will and testament in manner and form following(to wit ).
Item 1st
I will and bequeath all my right title and interest in the negro slaves
Jenney, Rosa, Frank Louisa and Swinton to my daughter Martha for and during her
natural life to be held in pofsifsion by Mr Joseph W. Doby her husband and
worked for the separate use of my said Daughter Martha C. Doby and from and
after the death of my daughter Martha C aforesaid it is my will that the said
negroes and their ifsue be equally divided between the Children of my said
daughter Martha that may be living at the time of her death and the ifsue of
such of her children as may then be dead share and share alike, such ifsue
taking together the portion that would
have fallen to their parent if living.
Item 2nd
I will and bequeath to my son John G Gerald the sum of five hundred
dollars to be made of the proceeds of my land sold by my Executor for that
purpose or paid to him by my son Benjamin to whom I will my entire landed
estate with the above charge of five hundred dollars.
Item 3rd
I will and bequeath to my son John G. Gerald my negro Carpenter Burrell
to him and his heirs forever.
Item 4th
I will and bequeath to my son Benjamine F. Gerald my plantation and
tract of land consisting of Bloomhill and the murphy tract of land making seven
or eight hundred acre more or lefs (except a small piece a crofs the road to be
sold for the payment of debts and I do hereby empower my Executors here in
after mentioned to make such sale) to my said son Benjamine and his heirs for
ever with this injunction that he permit his brother John to live on and
Cultivate said land together so long as it shall be their mutual wish
Item 5th
It is my will that my crop now growing be applied to the payment of
debts so far as the Cotton may go, the provisions to remain for the support of
the plantation for John & Benjamine as
above stated. The Hire of my negroes for the present year I wish applied
to the payment of my debts and the debts of my son Benjamine, the Balance of my
debts to be paid by the sale of my lands as above directed
Item 6th
I give and bequeath to my son Benjamine all my HouseHold furniture,
plantation utensils Waggon Gin ploughs Hoes Axes &c and all My Stock of
Hors & Cattle to him and his heirs forever. I appoint W. I. Gerald & L.
R. Jennings Executors of this my will
Item 7th
I give my riding carriage to my daughter Rebecca Ann Jennings.
A.M. Gerald (SEAL)
Signed sealed and published This 28th June 1843 in presence of
L. W. Ballard
T. L. Gerald
John Watson
The State of South Carolina,
I
A. M. Gerald of Sumter District in the State aforesaid being weak in body, but
of sound Mind and Memory, finding that my debts will amount to more than I
anticipated, do hereby revoke, that portion of my former will and testament
where I give unto my son John G. Gerald a Negro man Named Burwell and Five
Hundred Dollars, Instead thereof It is my will and desire that my Son John G
Gerald receive from my Est. the sum of Two Hundred and fifty Dollars, It is my
will and desire that my Executors named in my last will and testament do Carry
out the intention of the above, In
witnefs whereof I have hereunto set my hand. and seal this Sixteenth day
October in the year of our lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Three,
A.M. Gerald (SEAL)
Signed sealed & delivered in the presence
of us,
B.F. Gerald
M.C. Doby
D.E. Gerald
Recorded Will Book D-2, Page 113
Recorded Nov 7th, 1843
W. Lewis - Ordy. S.D.
Bundle 116, Package 8