Will of Martha Bryant, Baldwin, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/baldwin/court/mbryant.txt ==================================================================== USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: Ruth Newlan ==================================================================== March 2003 Will of Martha Bryant, Baldwin, Alabama In the name of God Amen I Martha Bryant of the County of Baldwin State of Alabama do make ordain and declare this instrument to be my last Will and Testament revoking all others. Item All my debts of which there are but few and none of magnitude are to be punctually and speedily paid, and the legacies hereinafter bequested are to be discharged as soon as circumstances will permit and in the manner directed. Item To my daughter Eveline Myles formerly Bryant I give and bequeath one negro woman named Bet and a negro child a girl named Cybrene to her and her heirs forever. Item To the children of my son William P. Bryant now deceased Hisphera Bryant and Julia Myles formerly Bryant, I give and bequeath to each one dollar, thse bequeaths are not for the intrinsic value of them but as memintoes of my esteem, regard, and affection their Father William P. Bryant having recieved more than an ample share of his Fathers Estate during his life time. Item To my daughter Angelina Bryant, I give and bequeath one negor woman anemd Dilsy, one feather bed and furniture one bed-stead and the Bureau now in my possession, to her and her heirs forever. Item To my granddaughters Annette, Mary, Octavia, Helen and Martha Brady, I give and bequeath the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars, it being that portion of my Estate designed for my daughter Elizabeth Brady formerly, Bryant now deceased, to be divided among them in the following manner To Wit: To my Grand daughter Martha Brady I will and desire one hundred dollars of this bequest shall be given and the remaining two hundred and fifty dollars I will and desire shall be equally divided among my Grand daughters Annette, Mary, Octavia, and Helen Brady and in the event that either or any of them should die under age or without issue the part or share of them so dying shall go and be equally divided among the survivors or survivor of them. This bequest it is my will and desire shall be paid them by my son in law John Abney as they grow up and their wants may demand. Item To my son Randolph P. Bryant I give and bequeath one negro boy named Charles, two of my choice Mattresses and furniture to him and his heirs forever. Item To my daughter Louisa Daniels formerly Bryant I give and bequeath one negro child or girl named Mahala, one feather bed and furniture, together with two Hundred and fifty dollars in cash to be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of property appropriated to that purpose, to her and her heirs forever. Item To my daughter Martha Powell formerly Bryant I give and bequeath one negro girl named Catharine, one feather bed and furniture, together with two hundred and fifty dollars in cash to be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of property appropriated to that purpose to her and her heirs forever. Item To my Daughter Mary Abney, formerly Bryant I give and bequeath one Mulatto girl named Caroline, one negro child a girl named Lizzy, one featherbed and furniture, together with seventy five dollars in cash to be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of property appropriated to that purpose to her and her heirs forever. Item To my son in law John Abney I give and bequeath the sum of three Hundred and fifty dollars in cash in consideraton of his paying that sum as the specific lagay above devised to my Grand daughters Annette, Mary, Octavia, Helen and Martha Brady to be paid out of the proceeds of the slae of property appropriated to that purpose to him and his heirs forever. Item The balance and residue of my Estate including one negro woman named Jinny, one named Mariah & one Mulatto Boy named George, together with whatever else I may possess I will and devise shall be sold to raise funds to complete and discharge the lagacies above devised to my daughters Louisa Daniels formerly Bryant and Martha Powell formerly Bryant and Mary Abney formerly Bryant, and my son in law John Abney for the use of my Grand-daughters Annette, Mary, Octavia, Helen, and Martha Brady and if there shouldbe a surplus after competing and discharging the above named legacies, I will and bequeath it to my daughters Angelina Bryant, Luisa Daniels formerly Bryant, Martha Powell formerly Bryant and Mary Abney formerly Bryant to be equally divided among them to them and their heirs forever. Lastly I do hereby consitute my son Randolph P. Bryant and my son in law Charles Daniels Executors of this my last will and tesament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 18th day of October Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty seven. signed, sealed, published} Martha Bryant (her mark) and declared by the} above named Martha} in the presence of Joseph Booth Benj. McConnell F. W. Miles The State of Alabama} Proved in open Court by the testimony of Joseph Booth, Baldwin County} Benj. McConnell & F. W. Miles this 17th June 1848 and ordered to be recorded. P. C. Byrne J. C. C. B. C. Recorded June 20th 1848 Alexander B. Couch, Clerk