Elbert County GaArchives Will of James Bell, Sr. 17 September 1807 and Codicil 2 April 1808 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Dawn Brasfield d.brasfield@worldnet.att.net 24 January 2004 *********************************************** Will of James Bell,Sr. 1810 Will Book 1809-1812 Pages 34-36.Probate Court, Elbert County, Georgia In the name of God Amen, I,James Bell of the County of Elbert And State of Georgia, knowing that it is appointed for men once to die, do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (viz) I Will first of all that all my just debts be punctually paid. I will that my wearing clothes be used among my children as my wife shall see cause. Item: I will to my eldest son Joseph Bell one dollar in addition to what I have already given him. Item: I will to my son James Bell all that land on the opposite side of the Creek from my dwelling house; beginning on William B Key's line where it crosses the creek; thence running up the meanders of that branch to Terrel Key's line; thence round on Terrel Key's and William B Key's lines to the beginning. Also one bay mare, bridle & saddle, now called his own. Also one feather bed and furniture to him, his heirs and assigns forever. The land, by estimation, 150 Acres. Item: I will to my son William Bell a piece of land on this side the creek beginning at the same place where James' began; thence running up the branch in the same manner to the first drain that falls in below the Waggon Ford; thence up that drain to a Wild Crab Tree in the field; from thence a straight line to the mouth of the first drain that empties into the big branch on the other side above the furthest old field; thence up said drain and along the right hand Fork so in a straight direction to my back line; thence to my corner on William B Key's line; thence along said line to the beginning, including all the land within said lines, by Estimation, 150 acres. Also one horse, bridle & Saddle and one feather bed and furniture. To him his heirs and assigns forever. Item: I will to my son, Thomas Bell, a piece of land beginning in the big branch where William's line crosses it; thence running up said branch along the rim (?) to the upper corner of the old field on this side (of) the branch; thence up a fork where a number of trees is marked up to the big path; so on in a straight Direction to Poesey's (?) line thence turn to the right to Poesey's (?) corner; thence on my old line touching on Clarke's, Burton's & (illegible)'s lines and so on to my Son William's line thence down that to the beginning by Estimation 300 acres; also one horse, Bridle and Saddle and a feather bed and furniture. To him his heirs and assigns forever the Land Including the plantation including Wood's (?) old field. Item: The Remaining part of my land including the house and the greatest part of the plantation whereon I now live, I lend to my loving wife, Olive Bell, until my youngest son, David Bell, comes of age and then her (?) choice (?) half of it during her natural life. Item: I will to my youngest son, David Bell, half the land last mentioned, when he shall come of age, and the other half at or after the decease of his mother, containing, by estimation, 300 acres. Also I will to him one horse, bridle and saddle and one feather bed and furniture to him his heirs and assigns forever. Item: I will to my son Jonathan Bell three Negros, to Wit, Bird, Abram and Mourning. Also one horse, bridle and saddle and one feather bed and furniture to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Item: I will to my Daughter Patsy Bell when she shall come of age or marry 1 Negro girl Coll. Mines (?) and two hundred dollars in money; also one feather bed and furniture to her her heirs and assigns forever. Item: I will to daughter, Nancy Bell, one hundred and sixty (?) dollars and one note on Andrew Woodly $57.91; and the balance on a note due from Elijah Mosley; also balance on a tobacco note due from William Brown; and one note for 1512 lb tobacco on Lawson & Felps; and one on Wiley Childres $7; and one on Wm. H. Moon $40. The notes all on interest. - all. Which I will to her, her heirs and assigns forever and no more forever. Item: I will to my three married daughters one dollar each in addition to what I have already given them (vis): Polley Moon, Elizabeth Moon, and Sarah Moon to them their heirs and assigns forever. Item: I lend to my loving wife, Olive Bell, five Negroes (Viz): Jack, Beck, Sooky, Bob & Saffold, and one other, Named Buck; with all my stock of horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep & geese. Also all my household and kitchen furniture and Lumber Waggon (illegible) plantation and working tools & moneys, debts, dues, bonds, notes, and demands during her natural life, out of which I will for her to make good all the legacies before named as the children may come of age to receive them. I also will that if any one or more of my sons should die in their non age that the living sons share and divide their portion; likewise my daughters in the same case. With Daughters to share with their sisters. I will that at or after the decease of my loving wife that the Negros with their increase, and whatsoever else there may be remaining, be equally divided amongst all my children, Nancy and Jonathan exception. I do hereby constitute, ordain, and appoint my brother, Joseph Bell and my son, Joseph Bell, executors; and my wife, Olive Bell, executrix to this my last well and testament. And I do hereby disannul, revoke, and make void all former wills and testaments by me made, and do notify and confirm, acknowledge and proclaim, this and this only to be my last will and testament; in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my Seal this 17th day of September in the year of our Lord 1807 James Bell Test: Peter Wyche Andrew Woodley James Glover Codicil to this will is as follows. For as much as I have sold part of the land I willed to my son, Thomas Bell, I now will to him the remainder of what was willed to him before, and two lots of land in Wilkinson; one in the Seventeenth District No 311, to him his heirs and assign forever; all other things concerning him contained in this will to stand just as before mentioned. It is also to be observed that my said daughter, Nancy Bell, has married since my making and confirming this will and has received a great part of her portion. I therefore only will to her one hundred & sixty dollars and no more, forever. In all other respects my will to stand just as it is, without any other alteration. Witness my hand and seal this 2nd day of April 1808 James Bell Test: Robins Andrews Test: Elizabeth Andrews Test: William Davis William D. Davis Newborn Davis Court of Ordinary Jany Term 1810. The within will was proved in open court by Peter Wyche and Andrew Woodly, two of the subscribing witnesses to the Will. Also at said term as above the within codicil was proven in open court by Robins Andrews and Elizabeth Andrews. The said subscribing, witnesses, and ordered to be recorded.