WILL OF JEREMIAH BELK
Transcribed by Linda Belk Smith.

The State of South Carolina, Darlington District 
Will Book 10 Page 145 July 14, 1848

1st Item:  Jeremiah Belk of the District of Darlington and State of 
South Carolina do make and ordain this my last will and testament -- To 
Wit - First I postively order all my just debts to be promptly paid.

2nd Item:  I give and bequeath to my son William Belk the following 
negros (to Wit) Dinah Easter & America - together with their future 
increase to him and his heirs forever-- In trust however as follows -- 
for the use of and benefit of my son Abijah Belk during the term of his 
natural life and immediately after the death of said Abijah Belk the 
said negroes with their increases to be equally divided among the 
children of the said Abijah Belk that may be living at that time.  If 
any of the children of said Abijah Belk should die in the life time of 
their father -- leaving a child or children living at the death of said 
Abijah Belk in that case such child or children are to represent the 
parent and take such part in the division as the parent would have taken 
if alive -- at the death of Abijah Belk.

3rd Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson Jeremiah Belk, the son of 
Abijah Belk one negro girl named Sabry -- to him and his heirs forever.

4th Item:  I give and bequeath to my grandson Marrell Bright Belk, the 
son of Abijah Belk one negro girl named Rachel to him and his heirs 
forever.

5th Item:  I give and bequeath to my grandson Reubin S. Belk, the son of 
Abijah Belk one negro girl named Leak to him and his heirs forever.  

6th Item:  I give and bequeath to my grandson Benjamin F. Belk to son of 
Abijah Belk one negro boy named Griff -- to him and his heirs forever.

7th Item:  I give and bequeath to my grandson Elijah King Belk the son 
of Abijah Belk one negro girl named Tilda-- with her future increase, 
except her three first living children which is to be disposed of in the 
following manner.  The first if any to my brandaughter Polina Ann Belk 
the daughter of Abijah Belk to her and her heirs forever -- her second 
if any to my grandson Robert D. Belk the son of Abijah Belk to him and 
his heirs forever -- her third if any, to my grandson Stephen T. Belk 
the son of Abijah Belk to him and his heirs forever -- the said Elijah 
King Belk to take possession of the above negro girl Tilda at my death.

8th Item:  I give and bequeath to my son William Belk one negro man by 
the name of Jim -- one negro woman by the name of Rachel; one negro 
woman by the name of Leak now in his possession one negro girl by the 
name of Aggy -- and one other negro girl by the name of Hannah, together 
with their increases from this time - to him and his heirs forever.

9th Item:  I give and bequeath to my daughter Massy Alexander the 
following named negroes together with their future increases -- To Wit) 
Nelly and her child Ira -- Tinah and her child Peter-Lewis-Stephen-
Mourning and Juda excepting her future increase - to her and heirs 
forever.

10th Item:  I give and bequeath to my grandaughter Jane Skinner (wife of 
Benjamin Skinner) one negro girl named Wilet, to her and her heirs 
forever.

11th Item:  I give and beaqueath to my grandaughter Mary A.M. Alexander 
one negro boy named Manson Judy's child, to her and her heirs forever. 

12th Item:  I dispose of the future increase of the above named negro 
woman Juda in the fillowing manner:  her first child to my grandson John 
S. Alexander and her second to my grandson Israel J. Alexander and so on 
alternately down to the youngest child of my daughter Massy Alexander 
and the balance of her increase should there be any to my daughter Massy 
Alexander to them and their heirs forever.

13th Item:  I give and bequeath to Abner Alexander and his heirs forever 
-- one negro man named Manson.  In trust however as follows for the use 
and benefit of Benjamin S. Josey,  Massy M. Saverence, Reese Josey, 
Jeremiah J. Josey, Elijah Josey, Anna Josey and Joseph Josey the 
children of my daughter Miriam Josey deeased until the youngest child 
shall become to the age of twenty-one years, then the said negro to be 
sold -- and the proceeds to be equally divided among the said children 
of Miram Josey deceased.  If any of the said children should die before 
the period of division leaving no child or children -- then said 
proceeds of the sale to be divided equally among the sirvivors, but if 
any should die leaving a child or children to represent the parent - and 
take such portion as the parent if alive would have taken.  This legacy 
is given to Abner Alexander so that he may act as trustee, and manage 
the property till the period of division.

14th Item:  I give and bequeath to Abner Alexander and his heirs 
forever, one negro man named Herod and one negro boy named Jonas - in 
trust however for the sole and separate use of Jincy A. Skinner, the 
wife of James Skinner.  During the term of her natural life and after 
the death of said Jincy A. Skinner in trust for the children which she 
may leave living at her death to be equally divided among such children - 
when the youngest comes of age (twenty-one years) if any of the children 
of Jincy A. Skinner should die in the life time of thier mother - 
leaving child enabling and who may be living at the period of division 
such children to represent their parent and take such part as the parent 
if alive at the time of division would have taken.

15th Item:  I give and bequeath to Abner Alexander on e negro boy name 
George to him and his heirs forever in trust however for the use of my 
grandson Acastus C.S.D. Belk for and during the term of his natural life 
and at his death to be divided among such child or children as A.C.S.D. 
Belk may leave.  If any of the children of A.C.S.D. Belk should die in 
their father's lifetime leaving child or children to represent the 
parent and take such part as the parent if alive would have taken.

16th Item:  I give and bequeath to my grandaughter Massy M. Saverance 
one feather bed and furniture -- which bed and furniture is already in 
her possession.

17th Item:  I give and bequeath to my grandson Abijah E. Alexander to 
him and his heirs forever one negro girl called Rose with her future 
increase.

18th Item:  I give and bequeath to my grandaughter Martha Skinner the 
wife of Francis Skinner one negro girl called Linda with her future 
increase which said girl is now in her possession to her and her heirs 
forever.

19th Item:  I will & desire unto my grandson John S. Alexander one tract 
of land lying in Lynches Creek Swamp containing forth acres (more or 
less) immediately on the Creek ajoining Zackariah Bells land on the 
lower part & on the North or upper side by Ervins land to him and his 
heirs forever.

20th Item:  I give and devise to my grandson Hartwell C. Alexander one 
tract of land lying in Lynches Creek Swamp call the Parnell tract, 
containing sixty nine acres (more or Less) adjoining John Fields land to 
him and his heirs forever.

21st Item:  It is my will and desire and hereby direct and authorize my 
executors hereinafter named - to sell all my lands and other property.  
Not heretofore given away after my death -- and the money ariseing 
therefrom together with all the cash, which I may have on hand and all 
moneys due me at my death, are to be disposed of in the following 
manner: (to Wit) to be divided into six equal parts and given as in the 
following manner - one part to my son William Belk one other sexth part 
to my son Abijah Belk one other sixth part to my daughter Elizabeth King 
one other sixth part to my daughter Massy Alexander one other sixth part 
to A.C.S.C. Belk and Jincy Ann Skinner the wife of J. Skinner, my 
grandchildren -- equally between them and the other sixth part to my 
grandchild Benjamin S. Josey, Massy M Saverance, Reese Josey, Jeremiah 
J. Josey, Elijah Josey, Anna Josey and Joseph Josey, the children of my 
daughter Miriam Josey deceased to be equally divided among them -- 
lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint William Belk my son and Abner 
Alexander my son-in-law and my grandson Abijah E. Alexander my executors 
of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have here unto 
set my hand and seal this the Sixth day of July in the hear of our Lord 
One Thousand eight hundred and forty four.


                                           Jeremiah Belk (Seal)

Signed, published and delivered
by the said Jeremiah Belk to be 
his last will & testament in the 
presence of us who have hereunto
subscribed our names as witness in
the presence of the testator and of
each other.

            J. M. Stuckey
            Hubbert W. Dubose    
            Henry Dubose