Joseph Williams

Elbert Co. Georgia Will Book 2; page 347

In the Name of God Amen I Joseph Williams of the County of Elbert and State of Georgia being Weak and Low in Health but of Sound and Perfect Mind and memory do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament.

First I recommend my Soul to God in hopes of his most Gracious Acceptance through the Mediation of Jesus Christ and In Respect to What Worldly Property the Lord hath Blessed me With I dispose of it in the Manner following viz.


Item. I Give and bequeath to my son John Williams all the Negroes which I let him have many years ago, With their Increase to him and his Heirs for Ever.

Item. My Wish and Desire is that the following Negroes (to Witt) Charles, Hannah, Tiller, Jenny, Samen (?), Bartlett, Jacob, Miles, Clabourn, Lymans, Charles, Abey, Caleb and Mannuell, Be and Continue in the Possession of My Son Matthew Jouett Williams, Until the first Day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Five at Which time the Said Negroes to Be Divided between My two Sons, John Williams and Matthew Jouett Williams. In Manner following (that is to Say) After an Estimation, or appraisement shall be Made of all the Negroes which I formerly Gave them, with the Increase Which Shall Be Living on the aforesaid first Day of February in the year one thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Five, Each of My two Sons to have Such apportion of the thirteen Negroes aforesaid--With Their Increase if any as Will make Them Equal Shares of My Negro Property including and haveing Aperticular Regard in Such Division to the negroes which I formerly Gave them, and their Increase at the time Such Division Shall Take Place, Which Said Negroes, agreeable to Such Division, I Give to them and their Heirs for Ever.

Item. I Give and Bequeath to my aforesaid son Matthew Jouett Williams, all the Household Furniture and Stock of Every Kind that I am Possessed of at the time of My Death to him and his heirs for Ever.

Item. I Give and Bequeath to my Grandson Joseph Williams Son of Matthew Jouett Williams one Negro man named Edmond to him and his heirs forever. Which said Negro Man is to Be and Continue in the Possession of My Said Son Matthew Jouett Untill the first day of February in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven.

Lastly. I Constitute and Appoint my two Sons John Williams and Matthew Jouett Williams Executors of this My Last Will and Testament in Witness and Confirmation Whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and Affixed my Seal this the Nineteenth Day of September In the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety two.

Joseph Williams

Signed Sealed and Declared in the presence of

Wm. Hatcher
William Lancaster
Jenny (her mark) Freeman.
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Elbert County
Recorded this Inventory of the Estate of Joseph Williams Late of the County aforesaid Deceased the thirteenth day of January 1793.

The following Articles to Witt
A Stock of Horses - 25
A Stock of Hogs - 12
A Stock of Cattle - 8
Fourteen Negroes - 570
One pair of Cart Wheels - 1
Three Pots and Pot Racks - 1; 12
Three Pails and two Tubs and one Churn - 0/ 15
One Lamb - 1
Three Wheels and two pair of Carts - 1; 17
Two Saddles - 0; 15
Household furniture - 2; 13
Two Beds and furniture - 15
Plantation Tools - 2; 18

Total - 663

Appraised by
William Thompson Senr.
William Fletcher (?)
William Thompson Junr.
James Tate J.P.

Recorded by William Higginbotham R.P.

Recorded in Will Book 1791-1803, page 24; Elbert County Records, Office of Judge Probate Court, Elbert County, Georgia.
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Court of Ordinary, 1805
Elbert County, Georgia
page 61
March Term 1807 - Polly J., and Matthew J. Williams appointed Admrs. of
Joseph Williams, decd.
_________________________________
Will Book 1791-1803, page 24; Elbert County Records, Office of Judge Probate
Court, Elbert County, Georgia.
___________
Court of Ordinary, 1805
Elbert County, Georgia
page 61
March Term 1807 - Polly J., and Matthew J. Williams appointed Admrs. of
Joseph Williams, decd.