In the name of God amen, I John Burgess senr of the state of South Carolina and district of Kershaw, being of sound mind and disposing memory. Thanks be to Almighty God do make constitute and ordain this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking all will or wills by me heretofore made.
First of all I recommend my soul to God who gave it me & my body to decently buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my executer hereafter named, and as touching what worldly goods it has pleased God to endow me. I give and devise in manner and form as follows.
First of all it is my will and desire that all my just debts should first be paid, then I give and devise to my loving wife Tamzey Burgess all my estate both real and personal (Here follows an erasure of several words so completely obliterated that I cannot ascertain thier purpose D. Schock Ardy K.D.) In her the said Tamzey Burgesss for and during her natural life and that the same should be the full controll and management of my son John Burgess for the free use and enjoyment of my said wife Tamzey Burgess and at her death to be disposed of as in herein after devised.
Then I give to my daughter Nancy Dawson four Negroes, namely one negro man by the name of Plato, Negro woman by the name of Lett, and her son Joseph, and a Negro girl by the name of Hannah, also the tract of land where my deceased father formerly resided in Russell County in the State of Virginia, for and during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided between all the lawful heirs of her body to them and their heirs forever.
Then I give and devise to my son Timothy Burgess the tract of land in the State of South Carolina in the District of Kershaw where on he formerly resides, also two hundred and seventy eight acres of land in the County of Russell, State of Virginia, to be laid off on the tract of land where on he presently resides. also 5 Negroes, namely a Negro man by the name of Jack, a Negro women by the name of Peg, a Negro boy by the name of Tom, which boy is already in his possession, a Negro child by the name of Becky, and a Negro child by the name of Gloster, together with their future increase, except the Negro Peg's increase to him the said Timothy Burgess and his heirs forever which is the said Negro boy should have another child I give and devise the same to Nancy Dawson to her for and during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided between all the lawful heirs of her body to them and their heirs forever.
Then I give and devise to my son John Burgess at the death of my loving wife Tamzey Burgess all my land and plantation where on I presently reside with all the improvements on the same to him and his heirs forever, also I give my son John Burgess three Negroes, Namely a Negro man by the name of Ned, a Negro boy by the name of Arthur, and a Negro girl by the name of Sylvia with her increase to him and his heirs forever.
Then I give and devise to my daughter Elizabeth Trantham? a tract of land in the State of Virginia in the County of Russell, known by the name Copper Ridge tract containing four hundred and fifty acres more or less, also four Negroes, namely a Negro woman by the name of Jin, a Negro woman by the name of Fan, a Negro boy by the name of Little Plato, and a Negro boy by the name of Richard, with thier future increase for and during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided between all the lawful heirs of her body to them and their heirs forever.
Then I give and bequeath to my daughter Tamzey Gardner the remaining part of the tract of land in Russell County in the State of Virginia, whereon I have devised to my son Timothy Burgess to be laid off on the west end of said land, also four Negroes, namely a Negro boy by the name of Peter, a Negro girl by the name of Phillis, a Negro boy by the name of Sambo, and a Negro girl by the name of Rachel with their future increase to her the said Tamzey Gardner for and during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided between the lawful heirs of her body to them and their heirs forever.
Lastly I nominate and appoint my son John Burgess whole and sole executer to this my last will and testament in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the twelfth day of February in the year of our Lord 1826.
John Burgess (Seal)
Signed and acknowledged in the presence of
D.G. Leigh
Elanor Ingram
George White
The State of South Carolina
I David Schrock for the District of Kershaw in the State of afore said do hereby certify unto all whom it may concern that the foregoing is a true copy of the last will and testament of John Burgesss deceased as proved in the Court of Ordinary on the forth day of March 1826.
At a Court held for Russell County March 6th 1827 the foregoing copy of the last will and testament of John Burgess deceased was exhibited in court by John Burgess Jr. executer herein named and with the certificate thereon endorsed ordered to be recorded.
James P. Carrell CRC