Benjamin Kolb Gates Will

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Meriwether, Georgia, United States
Surname/tag: Gates

Biography

December 4, 1862.

• Notes: parts of the will are partially transcribed here.

Benjamin Kolb Gates,

Item 1: "I desire that all my debts be paid off as soon as possible by my executor as stated within."

Item 2: "I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy Ann Gates for and during her natural life, and at her death to be equally divided among her children (those that she bore and future she may bare for me and those she may bare after my death to any other persons it being property she received from her father.) The following Negros: Henry, Emaline, Amanda, Mahala and Alec, Mary , her child named Georgiana, Martha, Mariah, Levi, Delia, Theny and child named Gus, Robert and Deck. And their issues."

Item 3: "I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy Ann Gates for and during her natural life, and at her death to be equally divided among my children living, if one has passed their children, the following Negros: Ned, Matilda, Rhoda, Lethea, Jim Abanz, Reid (Bid) Servant's Son, Ben, Steward Booker, Frank, Isaac, Esther. And the following land 600 acres more or less. If my wife at any desired time she may sell the land to invest in other land or put in Inheritance with interest, at her death must be divided between my children."

Item 4: "I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy Ann Gates forever my stock of Mules, black harness horses, eight cows and calves, four herd of cattle and yoke of oxen (two), large road wagon, two horse wagons, (these two wagons belong at Homeplace), stock hogs at Homeplace, tools and gin house at Homeplace, sheep and goats, carpenter tools need as such on a plantation. Household and kitchen at Home Place. and other supplies at Home Place."

Item 5: " Gold watch and chain given to me by my grandfather I give to my wife until one of my sons turns eighteen years of age. If that son dies it is to go other son. My daughters are to receive the same value of the watch and chain in the value of money. The watch from my father I bequeath to my son Daniel. Sons Samuel and James my double barrel shotguns and I desire that their mother take care of these things till they become of age. To all children the pony "Old Charlie" and slave boy Puck for the use of the children."

Item6: " All other property, except Negros, are to be sold by my wife for her and the children, pay any debts if needed. I wish the boys' Solomon, Henry Wilson, sold for that purpose, to kind and humane masters if possible, who will not over work them and they may raise their children."

Item 7: " In the event of the death of my Mother, all my other property given to me by my Father's Estate (Samuel Keaton Gates), I will to all my children. All my property from my Grandfather's Estate (Benjamin A Gates) I will and bequeath equally to my children. My wife is to secure the Estates until they become of age. If one child dies then Estates will be equally divided between living children. Then divided between their children."

Item 8: "In Item 3, I willed to my wife certain slaves, these I will these named slaves to my children and instead will to my wife on the same terms, Daniel, Julia and children, Bob, Wesley, Elisa, Sideny and their issue."

Item 9: "Nancy Ann Gates (wife) and John W Sheppard (good friend) appointed Executors of will this May 12, 1862

• Signed: Benjamin Kolb Gates.
• Witnesses: WW Goodman, Thomas Magruder, and RF Tignor.

Sources

• Probate: "Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992"
  Wills 1831-1903 (Meriwether County, Georgia); Author: Georgia. Court of Ordinary (Meriwether County)
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8635 #1466477 (accessed 16 January 2023)
  Benjamin Kolb Gates probate.