The last will and testment of John Lee, Sr., of Hamilton County, FL

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The last will and testment of John Lee, Sr., of Hamilton County, FL.
Transcribed by Jo Norris Carlson (gggg-granddaughter), January, 2001.
*********************************************************************


In the name of God, Amen.
I, John Lee, Senior, of the County of Hamilton and State of Florida,
being in good bodily health, and of sound mind, and disposing memory,
calling to mind the frailty and uncertainly of human life, and being
desirous of settling my worldly affairs and directing how the estate
with which it has pleased God to bless me, shall be disposed of after
my death, do make this my last Will and Testament, hereby working and
making null and void all other last Wills and Testaments by me,
heretofore made.


Item first.     I commend my immortal spirit to him who gave it,
                and my body to the earth to be buried with little
                expense or ostentation.
Item second.    My funeral expenses and all my just debts shall be
                paid out of my estate  as soon after my decease as
                convenient by my executors.
Item third.     I devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Sarah Lee
                one half of my entire estate, both real and personal,
                or mixed that may remain after my funeral expenses and
                just debts have been paid, sufficient to her control
                forever.
Item fourth.    I will that the other half of my estate, personal, or
                mixed



Page 2
                  shall be divided equally between my lawful heirs.
Item fifth.     I hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint John Cowart
                of Madison County and State Florida, and Joshua H. Lee
                of Hamilton County and State of Florida Executor of this,
                my last Will and Testament.
In testimony whereof I have here unto signed my name and affixed my seal
this seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and seventy.
Sign and sealed            }
in presence of             }    JOHN LEE, SR.
R.W. Adams                 }
A.W. Knight                }
Benj F. Dockow             }
     Justice of the Peace  }


State of Florida
Hamilton County }    Before me, Henry J.
Stewart, County Judge, personally came Joshua W. Lee,a son of the persons
named in foregoing will as Executor & being  duly sworn says he verily
believes the foregoing instrument to be the true last will & testament of
John Lee, Senior, late of said County, dec’d, and prays the same may be
admitted to probate.
Sworn to subscribe         }
Sept 17th, 1880,           }
Henry J. Steward           }
          County Judge     }            Joshua H. Lee






Page 3
State of Florida
Hamilton County }   Before me William Robarts,
a Justice of the Peace in afor said County personally appeared R. W. Adams
& Perry F. Jackson who being duly sworn say the foregoing instrument of
writing is the true last will & testament of John Lee, Sr, late of said
County, deceased; That at the making & signing of said last will & testament
the said John Lee Sr  was of sound & disposing mind; That he signed,
published and declared the same to be his last will & testment in the
presence of these def....ts & our A.W. Knight, requested these def.....ts
& said A.W. Knight to witness the same, and that they signed the same as
such witnesses as the presence of said testator and in the presence of each
other.


Sworn to & subscribed      }
before me this 30th day    }
of Sept. A.D. 1880         }
William Robarts            }            A.W. Adams
Justice of the Peace       }            B.F. Jackson



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Hamilton County           }
State of Florida          }
September 14th 1880       }
To All whom it may concern:


                We Joel Johnson and Daniel Sheffield,
by request of Sarah Lee wife of John Lee Sr deceased and of J.H. Lee,
as Agent for the Estate of said John Lee, Sr, Dec’d. do this day set
apart for Mrs. Sarah Lee, wife of John Lee, Sr. dec’d, the following
property - to wit:
      One Bay mare and Buggy                   Val $120
      Money                                        $700
      One Bed & Equipment for same
                                                  Joel E. Johnson
                                                  Daniel B. Sheffield




I Sarah Lee, wife of John Lee Sr., Dec’d 
do hereby acknowledge that I have this day 
been paid the above items with amounts as 
stated by Joshua H. Lee, as Agent for said Estate and 
I now give this as my receipt in full for all  
claims and demands against the Estate of John Lee, Sr. Dec'd.
                Sarah Lee

Joel E. Johnson
D.B. Sheffield




*************************************************************
Transcribed by Jo Norris Carlson (gggg-granddaughter), January, 2001.
(John Lee,Sr > Wiley Lee > Sophia Jane Lee Hogans > Mary Catherine Hogans
Howze > Pearl Howze Lanier > Iva Lanier Norris(living) > Jo Norris Carlson)