Will of William May, Lowndes, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/lowndes/wills/willbookb/wmay.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: Carolyn Golowka ==================================================================== June 2001 NOTE: William May was married to Elizabeth Browning, daughter of John and Nancy Peebles/Peeples Browning. The Executors of this will, John Browning, William Browning, David M. Browning and William B. Haralson, were his in-laws. John was Elizabeth's father, William and David M. were her brothers. William B(rowning) Haralson was Elizabeth's cousin, a son of one of Elizabeth's aunt Clara Browning Haralson and Jonathan Anderson Haralson. Elizabeth Browning May married second John Sessions on Oct. 19, 1828 in Montgomery County. It is suspected she went to Polk (now San Jacinto) County, TX when her son, Asa, moved there to plant a church. Elizabeth also may have married a thrid time to Mr. Gray. In her father's estate records in Clark Co., Arkansas are named his heirs, including Elizabeth Gray. Will of William May, Lowndes County Will Book B, page 25 In the name of God, Amen I, William May of the county of Montgomery and state of Alabama, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament _____ and ____ following (to wit) I give my sole to God it me and my body to the dust from which it came to be interred in a decent and Christian like manner, and ______ing my worldly goods with which it has pleased God to bless me, I give and bequeath in manner _____ following: It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid together with my funeral expenses. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Haney (Nancy??)P. May one Negro girl named Massie, with a bed and furniture which she is to take possession of at her marriage or when she shall become of age. It is my will and desire that the whole of my estate not heretofore disposed of be kept together for the maintenance and support of my family until the remarriage of my wife or until my oldest son becomes of age, at either of which time my wife shall have the right to choose her dower or a child's part of my estate and at either of which time also if my Executors or Executrix should deem it proper an equal distribution may be made among the rest of my children. And guardian appointed for those of them who shall not have arrived of age at that time. If it should appear that at the distribution of my estate, my daughter, Haney (Nancy??) P. May, has not received an equal share, it is my will and desire that my Executrix and Executors so divide the estate as to make her legacy equal with that of each of the rest of my children. I do nominate and appoint John Browning, William Browning, David M. Browning and William B. Haralson Executors and Elizabeth May Executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this, the sixth day of November in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and twenty five. William May (seal) D. H. Jeffery William Grisham James Pylan State of Alabama Montgomery County I, James E. Belsur, clerk of the county court and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the last will and testament of William May, deceased, received in my office in Book ___ ____ ____ Given under my hand and seal of office this the second day of December (?), A.D 1832 James E. Belsur, Clrk, C.C.M.C. The above forgoing will is a true copy of the original. Registered Dec. 15, 1832 John Varner, Clerk, C.C.L.C.