James Jester

Born [date unknown] in South Carolina

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Lynette Jester [send private message], Greg Wood [send private message], and Michael Robinson [send private message]

Biography

In John Frazier will, James Jester was to receive an equal share of his estate upon the death of his wife Nancy. James, along with Benjamin Frazier and John Jester, were appointed sale executors for his estate.

Since James didn't report a wife on his will, and evidently he had no children, this is probably the only record that he survived infancy.

• Will Dated 18 Dec 1836, Proved 6 March 1837, Recorded 15 May 1837 Copy of original was obtained from NC Historical Commission in Raleigh.

Georgia Butts County. This 18th day December 1836 In the name of almighty God Amen. I James Jester of the county and state aforesaid being of sound and disposing mind but weak in body and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death I do make this my last will and testament in manner as follows that is to say, I do bequeath and divide all my estate both real and personally unto my brothers and sisters and mother, and friends, namely as follows, that is to say,

• my sister Sarah Loften, $10,
• William James Lofton, son of John Lofton $50
• my sister Nancy Hammond $1000, wife of Charles Hammond

I do bequeath unto William James Hammond, son of Charles Hammond $300 to be paid him as soon this my will is recorded in office.

I do bequeath unto Jane D. Mason, wife of Leonard Mason, $50, to her when this my will is recorded in office.

I do bequeath unto my mother Roseanne Jester, a certain negro girl by the name of Ellen to have and hold as her property during her lifetime. At her death the negro girl to be sold to my sister Mary Jester as her own property when this my will is recorded in office.

I do bequeath unto my sister Mary Jester a certain lot of land being and lying in the 3rd district of Monroe when surveyed, now Butts County known as listing #246 to have and to hold as her own right and property when this my will is recorded in office. Also a certain negro boy by the name of Rovart to have and to hold in her own right and property when this my will is recorded in office.

I do bequeath unto my sister Mary Jester and brothers Henry Jester and Benjamin Jester and Abner Jester all my estate both real and personal excluding the above named property in this will, one negro fellow by the name of William, two negro fellows by the name of Aaron each, one by the name of Lewis, and one by the name of Julius, and one by the name of Richard, a boy by the name of Edmon, and one by the name of Joe, one by the name of Daniel, and one by the name of Stephen, one negro woman by the name of Bertha, one girl by the name of Lucy, one by the name Priscila, and one by the name of Matilda, and one by the name of Millie, one by the name of Hannah.

And also all of my stock great and small horses, mules, cattle, hogs, and all my plantation tools, one set blacksmith tools, household and kitchen furniture, unto the said Mary Jester and Henry Jester, Benjamin Jester and Abner Jester to have and to hold as their own right and property as soon as this my will is recorded in office.

Signed sealed published and declared for and as the last will and testament of James Jester in our presence who have at his request and in his presence witnessed the day execution thereof, and in the presence of each other and have in like manner as witnessed the day and date above written.

S/ James Jester

Wit: William J. Foster
Penelope Foster
James Ray J.P. of Monroe County

You and each of you do swear that you saw James Jester sign, seal, publish, and deliver this writing to be and contain his last will and testament, that at the time thereof he was of sound deposing mind and memory, and that he did it freely, without compulsion to the best of your knowledge so help you God, Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 6th day of March 1837. Attest: John McCord C.C.O.

James Ray

William J. Foster

Penelope {her mark} Foster

Butts Inferior Court Sitting as a Court of Ordinary, March Term 1837

A Writing, purporting to be the last will and testament of James Jester deceased, was this day produced in court, proved by the oaths of James Ray, Penelope Foster, and William J. Foster the three subscribing witnesses thereto and the court having notice that a caveat has been filed against the administration of the same to record, the same will is withheld from record and ordered not to recorded until a final decision upon the caveat aforesaid and the same be ordered to be recorded.

Thomas P. Atkinson J.I.C.
John McMichael J.I.C.
Hugh Wise J.I.C.
Reason Blisset J.I.C.

Butts Inferior Court Sitting as a Court of Ordinary, May Term 1837

Upon motion that the will of James Jester be now admitted to record and the same having been duly proven by the subscribing witnesses thereto, as appears from the probate on said will entered. It is ordered that same will be admitted to record.

John McMichael J.I.C.
Hugh Wise J.I.C.
Lewis Moore J.I.C.
Thomas P. Atkinson J.I.C.
Reason Blisset J.I.C.

Recorded this 15th May 1837
John McCord C.C.O.

James T. is not the same as James son of Levi

James T. was born in Delaware, while James son of Levi was born in South Carolina. James T. married in Delaware to Hester Price, while Jame son of Levi never married. No will of James T. have been found, and he lived past 1874, while James son of Levi died before 1840 in GA, while James T. was still in DE. That James T. could have a Levi in his family is highly probable, just not this Levi.

Sources

Research Notes

I have marked the Boy Stephen as the Stephen Jester-849. Of the wills of Levi and James, he is the only Stephen. Jester-173 20:47, 31 January 2022 (UTC)