Will of Julius Watts

 

State of South Carolina

 

I Julius Watts (Planter) of Sumter District in the State afore said being of sound mind and memory and understanding do make this my last Will and testament.  In manner and for following (To wit) I will that all my Just debts be paid.

 

Item I Will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Agness Watts three negroes named Sharper and his wife Esther and a boy named Peter during her natural life or widowhood and no longer and I also give to my said wife during her life or widowhood my Residence and choice of as much land as may be necessary for said negroes to Cultivate and as much timber and no more as may be necessary to keep the plantation and two cows and calves, two cows and earlings one two year old heifer and one two year old Steer, one horse (My said wife to have choice of all my horses) two beds and bed furniture, one half of my house hold and kitchen furniture and after the death of my wife all of said property and the increase thereof to return to my Estate and be disposed as hereinafter directed.

 

Item I Will and bequeath the balance of my negroes being ten in number and the increase of the females if any there should be between this the date of my will and my death in equal portions among my four children and the children of my deceased Son Benson Watts **** that is to Say the children of my said deceased Son to have one fifth of my said ten negroes and increase to be Equally divided among them share and share alike, and the other four fifths to be Equally divided among my four now living children and should any of my said children die the children of such deceased child to take their parents part share and share alike, the name of my said four children are Rufus Watts Hampton Watts Alexander Watts and Rebecca Corbett, my son Rufus Watts has now in possession two of said negroes Bob and Clarissa which it is my will that he hold and account for the fair value thereof in the Division of my Estate which Division of thereforsaid then negroes I wish to take place soon as convenient after my death, and to be make by five disinterested men from among my neighbors to be selected by my Executors.

Item at the death of my wife I Will that the remainder of my Estate being all my lands and the negroes and increase thereof willed to my wife during life or widowhood.  All my Stock plantation tools household and kitchen furniture and all other property of mine not already desposed by this my will be Sold by my Executors and Equally divided and (I mean the proceeds) among my two children Rufus Watts and Rebecca Corbett and the children of my deceased Son Benson Watts.

Item Should any of my children attempt to set up claims against me or involve my Estate in difficulty or Law Suits in such case the part or portion of any  such child under this my will to revert back to my Estate and be Equally divided among my said two children Rufus Watts and Rebecca Corbett and this children of my deceased son Benson Watts and lastly I nominate and appoint H. H. Corbett Executor of this my last Will and testament.  In Witness is hereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this Seventeenth day of December 1850

Witnessed by us

W. Lewis                                             Julius Watts (Seal)

John S. Brown

David Andrews

(Recorded in Will Book D 2 Page 122)

Recorded 30th Day of Jan 1850

W. Lewis Ordy

Bundle 134 Page 21

The 21 line from top interlined before signing

W. Lewis Ordy

David Andrews

John E. Brown