Georgia: Decatur County: Last Will & Testament of Zoah (Zoath/Zoeth) Spooner 6 June 1856 ==================================================================== USGENWEB 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 Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Bonnie Toole EToole@aol.com ==================================================================== This is a typed copy of the will of Zoah (Zoath/Zoeth) Spooner. The original is located in the County Judge's office, County Courthouse, Bainbridge, Decatur Co., Georgia. On page two of the will, there was a notation which was apparently made much later. It said "Zoah Spooner will, filed in office August 2, 1869." Georgia Decatur County In the name of God, Amen I Zoah Spooner of said state and county being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart from this world deem it right and proper as respects my self and family that I should make a disposition of the little property with which a kind providence has blessed me. I therefore make this my last will and testament. Item first - I desire that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition. My soul I trust shall return to rest with God who gave it. Item second - I desire and direct that my just debts be paid by my wife Nancy - which is but little and that is due to Jackson Ingram and no one else at present but, if there should be any more debts made before my decease, they are also to be paid by my said wife Nancy. Item third - I give and devise to my beloved wife Nancy all my entire stock of cattle and hogs and also all my tools of every description including all my goods and chattels of every description to her own proper use, benefit and ??? for ever with full power to dispose of the same at any time before or at her death as she may think proper. Item fourth - I constitute and appoint my beloved wife Nancy Spooner executrix to this my last will and testament this June 6th 1856. His Zoah X Spooner Mark Signed sealed declared and published by Zoah Spooner as his last will and testament in the present of us the subscribers who subscribed our names hereto in the presents of said testator and of each other this 5th of June 1856. Mary E. Tuten William Chester His William X Tuten Mark Georgia Decatur County Personally appears before me William Chester who having duly sworn says that he saw Zoar Spooner sign the ????? will and also the other witnesses sign the same in present of the testator and of each other. William Chester NOTE: Zoath did not list the names of any of his children. However, it is believed, there were 14 children with at least three wives. __________ State of Georgia County of Seminole Before me the undersigned authority, a Notary Public in and for the above named county and state, this day personally came and appeared Miss Vienna Spooner, who being first duly sworn, deposes and says in oath that she was born June 24, 1879, daughter of Henry Clay Spooner, and granddaughter of Adam Spooner. She further deposes and says that she does remember Rebecca and Stephen Spooner, well. They being the oldest children of Joseph Spooner, and his wife Elizabeth Roe Spooner. Your affiant further deposes and says that the said Joseph Spooner, was a brother to her grandfather Adam Spooner, and both were sons of her great- grandfather Zoah Spooner. This information is well known to her from records which have been kept and handed down in her family. /s/ Mary J. Austin Notary Public __________ State of Georgia County of Seminole Before me the undersigned authority, a Notary Public in and for the above named county and state, this day personally came and appeared Miss Lou Ellen Spooner, who being first duly sworn, deposes and says in other, that she was born July 1, 1888, daughter of Henry Clay Spooner, and granddaughter of Adam Spooner. She further deposes and says that she does remember Rebecca and Stephen Spooner, well. They being the oldest children of Joseph Spooner, and his wife Elizabeth Roe Spooner. Your affiant further deposes and says that the said Joseph Spooner, was a brother to her grandfather Adam Spooner, and both were sons of her great- grandfather Zoah Spooner. This information is well known to her from records which have been kept and handed down in her family. /s/ Lou Ellen Spooner Sworn to and subscribed before me on this day the 8th day of November, A. D. 1958. /s/ Mary J. Austin Notary Public Submitted by: Bonnie Toole