Chambers Co. AL - Will of John H. Thomas

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Submitted by:  Ronda McAllen  <QuiltDesign@msn.com>
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John H. Thomas Will

Chambers County, Alabama, Wills 3, 1856-1899, page 142
January 25, 1864

In the name of God amen, I John H. Thomas late of the County Yazoo and state of Mississippi 
and now residing in Chambers Co. Alabama do make and publish this my last will and testament
being of sound and disposing mind and memory.

First to my ward and niece Caroline J. Thomas I bequeath or divide one third of my estate 
both real and personal upon the consideration she relinquish all claim if any against my 
estate for the loss of her negroes by the Yankees.

Second I bequeath and divide the entire remainder to my wife Mary W. Thomas.  The distribution 
to be made by Commissioners appointed for that purpose by the court or courts where the 
property may be at the time of such distribution and no distribution to made until the 
payment of my just debt.  My lands are in Yazoo County state of Mississippi a portion 
of my negroes are now in Chambers County Alabama the remainder in the hands of the Yankees.
The following named negroes belong to my wife in her own right to wit , Luey , Henry , Beu ,
Louisa , Willis , Joe , Bob , Jim , Henrietta , Amy & Matilda now in my possession  in 
Chambers County Alabama and Abraham in the possession of the Yankees.  I nominate and 
appoint my wife Mary W. Thomas executrix without security with the power to sell real 
estate or other property at her discretion in the settlement of my estate.  I also 
nominate and appoint W. C. Dowdell , W. H. Senisnoud and D.C. Gordon my executors 
without security.  Given under my hand and seal this 25th January AD 1864

							J.H. Thomas  (seal)
Witinesses

Silas A. Dowdell
Wm. D. Buckalew
J.C. Riddle

State of Alabama		Probate Court of saids County
Chambers County

In the matter of the probate of the last will and testament of John H. Thomas dec’d.

Before me John Appleby Judge of the said Court personally appeared in open Court Silas A. 
Dowdell who having been by me first duly sworn and examined did and does depose and say on 
oath that he is the subscribing witness to the instrument of writing now shown to him and 
which purports to be the last will and testament of John H. Thomas deceased late an inhabitant 
of this County.  That said John H. Thomas since deceased signed and executed said instrument 
on the day the same bears date and declared the same to be his last will and testament and 
that affiant set his signature thereto on the day the same bears as a subscribing witness to 
the same in the presence of said testator that said testator was of sound mind and disposing
 memory and in the opinion of deponent fully capable of making his will at the time the same 
was so made as aforesaid.  Affiant further states that said testator was on the day of the 
said date of said will of the full age of twenty one years and upwards.  Sworn to and 
subscribed before me this 26th day of June 1865.

					Silas A. Dowdell

John Appleby
Judge of Probate


Transcribed and Submitted by:  Ronda McAllen  <QuiltDesign@msn.com>