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