Slaves of John W Burnes, Georgia

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

The purpose of this page is to identify and record research on the slaves of John Waddey Burnes (1749-1802) and connect them to their families.

Will of John W. Burnes

Original will image on Ancestry^[1] Transcription from FindaGrave, with some edits by Weatherall-96.

We the undersigned do solemnly swear before Almighty God that we were Two of the subscribing Witnesses to the last Will and Testament of before? Heard dec`d appear from an inspection of the within will that we saw the said deceased sign and acknowledge it to be his last will & testament that we believe the said deceased at the time of his signing was of sound mind and memory that we signed the same in his presence and in the presence of Each other >this 7th March 1803 >Sworn to in Open Court >7th March 1803 Robert Hughs >D Powell C Court Nathan Holtzclaw Recorded July 25th 1806

In the name of God Amen. I John W. Burnes of the County of Wilkes and State of Georgia being perfect in soundness of mind and memory thanks unto God. Calling to mind the mortality of my body and that it is appointed for all men to die do make ordain and constitute this my last will and Testament. Viz. principally and first of all I recommed my soul to God who gave it and my body to the earth. And as touching my worldly Estate which it has pleased God to bless me with I give devise and dispose of in the manner following. Viz. First I will that all my Lawful debts be paid. Next. I will that all the Lands and negroes Goods and Chattels I die possessed of be left to the proper use and behoof of my beloved Wife Susannah Burnes during her natural life or widowhood and then to be disposed of in the manner and form. Viz. ITEM. I give and bequeath to my beloved son James W. Burnes one negro Boy named Bardwell one Feather bed and Furniture and one half of my planta! tion utensills and one Third Part of my stock to him and lawful begotten Heirs of his own body forever: and in case he should die without a lawful begotten Heir the said property to be returned and to be equally divided between his Brother and sisters with all increase as they shall see cause. ITEM. I give and bequeath to my beloved son Samuel T. Burnes One negro boy named Ned one Feather Bed and Furniture and one half of my Plantation Utensils and one third part of my Stock one Horse known by the name of ?ady and One saddle to him and his law[fully] begotten heirs of his own body forever and in case he should die without a lawful begotten Heir then the same property to return and be Equally divided between his brother and sisters together with all increase they shall see cause. ITEM. I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Nancy Dearing one negro Girl named Daphne one Feather Bed which she has now in possession to her and her lawfull Heirs of her own body forever and in case s! he should die without a Lawful begotten Heir then the above mentioned Property to return and be divided between her Brothers and her sisters as they shall see cause. ITEM. I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Julia M. Burns one Negro girl named Celia one Feather Bed and Furniture one Horse and Saddle one third part of my Stock to her and her lawful heirs forever of Her own body and in case she should die without a lawfully begotten Heir then the said Property above mentioned to return and be divided between her Brother and Sisters together with all Increase. >LAST. I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved wife Susanna Burns Executrix together with my beloved sons James W. Burns and Samuel T. Burns Joint Executors with her To this my last will and Testament and do hereby disannull all and disallow and revoke all and every former Wills Testaments Legacies and bequests and Executors by me in any wise before named Ratifying this To be my Last will and Testament in witness whereof I have set My hand and seal this Twenty first day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and One. >Signed Sealed and Delivered in Presence of the undersigned witnesses. JOHN W. BURNES >Benjamin Philips Originals before signing >John Philips John W. Burnes >Mary x Philips > mark >Personally appeared in open court Benjamin Philips and John Philips two of the subscribing witnesses to the above will and being duly sworn saith that they saw John W. Burnes …. Sworn to in Open Court. This 7th March 1803