Will of Eli Atkinson, Lowndes, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/lowndes/wills/willbookc/eatkinson.txt ================================================================================ USGENWEB NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed and copyrighted by: Carolyn Golowka http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002972 ================================================================================ May 2001 Will of Eli Atkinson Lowndes County, Alabama Will Book C., pages 39 – 41 The State of Alabama, Lowndes County, July 31st, 1860 Know all persons that I, Eli Atkinson, of the State and County aforesaid, being of sound mind and desirous of preparing for any contingency that may arise in the event of my death, do make this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills disposing of my Estate real and personal. In the first place, I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Mary Bowie, wife of Dr. Andrew Bowie and her heirs the following slaves, viz.: Kinchen and his wife Wimit, Sam, Tom (hard to read), Milt and her two children, Gilbert, Mary Sarah, Elijah, Victoria, Isaac and John. This will _____ all my bequest to my granddaughter, Mary Bowie, with the exception hereafter mentioned. Secondly: I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter, Elizabeth Vasser, wife of Dr. E. Vasser, and her heirs, the following slaves, viz.: The one-half of the two slave families branching from Booker and his wife, Matilda, and from Ceasar and his wife, Charlotte. Thirdly: I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter, Emma P. Arthur, the other half of the fore mentioned family of slaves, the aforesaid slaves including Harry, to be equally divided of my decease between my two last named grandchildren. Last: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Virginia C. Watkins, wife of Dr. Ben Watkins and her heirs, the following named slaves, viz.: Hart and Sally, Fran, Watts, Jack, Tom, Decia, Grabriel, King, Sally, Amanda, Harriet and another Rosanna, Abram, Jane, Louisa, Cress, Clem, Caroline, Josiah, Catherine, Amelia, Cornelius, Lucy, Marena, Sam, Polly, Narcissa, William, Sam and Betty, Julian, Erwin, Salina, Sabry and Henry, Ellen, Mary Ann, Ida, Richard, Missouri, Nelson boy, Charles, Nelson, Man, Mariah, Juliah, Pad, Armisted, Travis, Plumer, and Francis. I would desire my Executor if possible to emancipate the man, Nelson if he can be persuaded to leave the State; if he can not, I wish him treated with as much kindness as may be compatible with his well being and safety. This matter I leave to their delicacy as it has been dictated by my own. In conclusion, I hereby nominate and appoint Dr. Ben Watkins and Dr. E. Vasser the Executors fo this my Last Will and Testament and they, in the event that I should not dispose of my real Estate before my death, shall dispose of the same in such manner, together with the stock on the plantation, in such manner as they may deem most advantageous to my daughter Virginia C. Watkins, to who I can fine. All the latter bequest, including any property of or ___ slaves not mentioned, reserving however from the proceeds of the sale of my plantation and stock twenty- five hundred dollars for each of my granddaughters and any accounts I may make against either of them to be received as a set off so far as the same calls for. In testimony hereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this July 31st, 1860. Eli Atkinson Codicil: From the proceeds of the sale of said plantation, Emma P. Arthur shall receive annually until married the sum of four hundred fifty dollars. Eli Atkinson Witnesses: A.K. Gordon Silas B. Hobby The State of Alabama, Lowndes County Probate Court, February 6th, 1861 In open Court personally came A.K. Gordon and Silas B. Hobby who being duly sworn, _________ depose and say that they saw Eli Atkinson sign the paper hereto attached as his Last Will and Testament on the day the same bears date in their presence. Affiants further swear that they each attested said instrument as subscribing witnesses and subscribed the same in the presence of Testator and of each other on the day the same bears dates. Affiants further swear that at the time of signing said instrument that said Eli Atkinson was of a sound and disposing memory and mind and that said Testator declared to them that said Testator declared to them that said paper was his Last Will and Testament, and requested them to attest it as such which they did as aforesaid. P. H. Cook A.K. Gordon Probate Judge Silas B. Hobby The foregoing is a true copy of the original Will admitted to Probate and Record Frbruary 6th, 1861 and recorded Sept. 10th together with the proof. James W. Graham, P. J. L. C.