Will of John Ellis
Record of Wills November Term 1851
Georgia }
Oglethorpe County
}
I, John Ellis, of the
County and State aforesaid knowing that it is appointed unto man
once to die and after this the Judgement and being of sound and
disposing mind and memory, do ordain, constitute and appoint
this my last Will and testament in the words following to wit:
Item 1st: I wish
all my just debts paid.
Item 2nd: I give
and bequeath to my Nephew Willis Ellis three negroes to
wit: Sally and her two children (to wit) Johnson and Antwine;
but I hereby expressly wish that my Nephew as above in this
second Item only have the use and enjoy the benefit of the
proceeds of the labors of the negroes named above during his
life, and at his death, to be equally divided between the Lawful
heirs of his body, not subject by any means to pay any of said
Willisses debts.
Item 3rd: I give
to my three beloved children (to wit) James Bagley Ellis,
Frances Elizabeth Ellis, Mary Ann Martha Ellis, all my
Estate both Real and personal including all debts, dues and
demands, also all the money I may have on hand at my decease,
except the amount of property Willed in the second Item of this
Will, and also except the property given by a separate deed of
gift executed this day of this date, to my three beloved
children, for twenty seven of my negroes, nine to each, therein
named; and I hereby wish that my Administrator should have power
and Authority to make equal, the Legacies of my three children,
when a division shall be made and that at the time either may
come of age or marry, out of the principal part of the joint
property before a division of said joint property so as to
equalize their Legacies provided either of their property, this
day, given them by a seperate deed of gift, should die or not
increase as fast, or as much as the rest.
Item 4th: It is my
wish that my Administrator who may be appointed by the court as
I wish them in their wisdom and discretion to exercise that
power to keep all my Women and children on the plantation, where
I now live, and as many of my fellows, or grown hands as they
may deem necessary to keep up the plantation for the support of
the Women and children and at any time that the Administrator
may think it expedient, he can hire out more of the stronger
hands, and as I have too many now for the use of this plantation
he can, and it is my wish that the strong hands be hired out for
the benefit of my children.
Item 5th: It is my
wish that my nephew Willis Ellis live in my house at my
present Residence, until my youngest child comes of age or
marries and that he be allowed to cultivate as much ground as
his force may need during his stay, and that he be allowed to
keep my children until they arrive severally to the age of ten
years, and at that time, I wish my Administrator to put them to
school, and if it can be conveniently done, put them to school
as near together as it can be done, and I wish them well
Educated and if my nephew can manage the force here at home as
my Administrator may deem satisfactory why he may let him do it,
by his employing some men to attend to his business up at his
place, and it is my will that my nephew have my Bay Mare to
cultivate his crop, and that he have the Care and
Superintendence of and oversight of the negroes, that is the
Women and Children, as he is Careful and Kind, and I esteem it
very important to take care of them for the best interest of my
children.
Item 6th: It is
my will that my son James Bagley Ellis have my gold
watch, and my two daughters Frances Elizabeth Ellis and
Mary Ann Martha Ellis have each of them a watch of equal
value say worth one hundred and five or ten dollars.
Item 7th: It is
my wish that my Administrator buy a cheap and strong Carriage
for the benefit of my children to go to or be carried to
meetings or else where, and that a strong horse or mule that is
gentle be kept on the farm to carry them during their stay with
him.
In witness thereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty sixth day
of September 1851.
Signed, sealed and acknowledged}
in the presence of us
John Ellis, (L.S.)
Benagy
Crowley
John Moore
Thomas Crowley
- - - - - - -
Record of Wills November
Term 1851
Court of Ordinary, November Term
1851.
GEORGIA }
OGLETHORPE
COUNTY }
The
within Last Will and Testament of John Ellis late of said county
deceased, was exhibited and duly proven at the regular term of
court in open court upon the oath of Benagy Crowley, John Moore,
and Thomas Crowley all subscribing witnesses to the same.
Ordered that the same be admitted to record.
GA Archives
M/F Dr. 46, Box 11
Oglethorpe County Will Book B, Page 287-289 (1833-1866)
Transcribed by:
Bob & Linda Ellis, Duluth, GA
NOTE: This John Ellis is a son of
William Ellis, Sr. & Frances Mabry Ellis of Oglethorpe Co., GA
