Will Of John Davidson

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Harris, Georgia, United States
Surname/tag: Davidson Slavery black_heritage

Death

John Davidson Died 8 May 1862.

Will

STATE OF GEORGIA)

HARRIS County )

THE WILL OF JOHN DAVIDSON

In the name of God, Amen.

I, John Davidson, of said County and State, being of advanced age but of sound and disposing mind and memory, knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper, both as respects my family and myself, that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me with.

First I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent Christian-like manner.

Secondly I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my Executors hereinafter appointed.

Thirdly I give and bequeath and devise to my beloved wife, Elizabeth, Lots of Land numbers Two Hundred and Seventy, and Two Hundred and Seventy One in the 4th. District of Harris County, Georgia, and Lots Numbers Forty Six and Forty Seven in the 5th. District of said County and State, for and during her natural life only; and at her death to be equally divided between all of my children: -- the property above bequeathed and devised to my wife to be in lieu of her dower in all of my real Estate. I also give and bequeath to my said wife, two mules named Beck and Rhody, sufficienty of farming utensils, cattle and hogs to be selected by my Executors; -- Also my household and kitchen furniture, an a sufficienty of provisions for one years support.

Fourthly I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, for and during her natural life only, the following negro slaves to wit:- Champion, a man about thirty years old, and his wife named Sophy, and their children, Richmond, Fanny and Sally, -- a negro woman named Gatsey, and negro boy named John Francis and negro man named Bob about twenty one or two years old; and at her death the said negroes to be equally divided between all of my children (except Nancy Hutchinson and Mercy Ann Grant.)

Fifthly The balance of my negro property, I devise and direct shall be equally divided between my children; except Nancy Hutchinson and Mercy Ann Grant (having already given to them by deeds of Gifts such negroes as I intend them to have, and which negroes so given to them are not included in this Item of my Will.)

Sixthly The Reserve of my personal property, not herein already bequeathed: Such as Mules, Hogs, Money etc; and also my landed Estate not bequeathed to my wife, Shall be equally divided between all of my children, including Nancy Hutchinson and Mercy Ann Grant.

Seventhly I hereby constitute and appoint Albert Davidson and Elias Davidson Executors of this my last Will and Testament, This August 7,1860.

(Signed)John Davidson (L.S.)

Signed, sealed, declared and published by JOHN DAVIDSON as his last Will and Testament in presence of us the undersigned who subscribed our names hereto in the presence of said Testator at his special instance and request and in the presence of each other.

This August 7th 1860

Benjamin Walker - - Fleming Parker - - Gustavus A. Myhand, J.P.

^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ The Davidson Family, complied by Martha Phyllis Davidson, Margaret Davidson Davis, William Hutchinson Davidson, June Lovelace Heard. West Point, Georgia, July 4, 1959. Shared by Davidson descendant Judith Davidson