Last Will and Testament of James Hodge

The State of South Carolina

County of Sumter

I James Hodge, planter of the County and State aforesaid, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, and ordain this my last Will and Testament as follows:

First: I give and bequeath to my Wife Frances Hodge all the tract of Land, whereon I now reside, containing five hundred and Eight acres, more or less, said tract is on a plat made by Hasten Jennings D.S. on the fourteenth day of July AD Eighteen Hundred and Sixteen, also all the Property of which I may possess at the time of my death and for and during her Natural Life, and after her death all the above property to go to Caroline L.B. Hodge and Joseph R.B. Hodge.

Second: I give and bequeath to Mrs. Ellen M. Hodge after the death of my Wife one half of the track of land given to my said Wife and if she takes care of my afflicted daughter, Carline L.B. Hodge during her life and pay all the necessary expenses of said daughter Caroline; I do give to her the other half also to have and to hold for her sole and definite use, and to her children after her death, not being subject to the debts of her present or future husbands and in the event of the failure of Mrs. Ellen Hodge to take care of and pay the necessary expenses of my said daughter Caroline, then the said one half to go to my …………….

Third: I do give and bequeath to my Son Irby W. Hodge and his children after his death all that tract of Land lying in Clarendon County in said State and on the East side of the Georgetown Road represented in a Plat made by R.D. Bradford D.S. and dated October the thirtieth Eighteen Hundred and Fifty. I do hereby give and bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth J. Davis all that parcel of Land on the West side of the Georgetown Road in said County of Clarendon, and on the Plat above referred to.

Fourth: I hereby give and bequeath to my Sons Willarby E. Hodge and Joseph R.B. Hodge all the balance of Land that I am in possession of at my death, to be divided equally between them. I herby nominate and appoint my Wife the said Frances E. Hodge during her widowhood Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and guardian of my Children. I do also appoint my Son Irby W. Hodge Executor hereof and that he is not to act during the widowhood of my said Wife unless she declines acting as said Executrix.

In witness hereunto I set my hand and seal this ?? day of ?? in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty Nine.

Signed: his mark X

James Hodge

Witnesses:

F.M. Beckham

S.J. Bradford

Elihu Hodge