Georgia:  Elbert County:  Will of Lt. Thomas Fortson, Jr.
24 January 1824

====================================================================
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:
Chandler Eavenson 
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00030.html#0007294 ====================================================================

The Will of Rev. Soldier Lt. Thomas Fortson, Jr. is recorded
in Will Book 1822-1825, pages 269-270, probated 13 Mar 1824:

"In the name of God Amen, I, Thomas Fortson, in the county of 
Elbert and state of Georgia being of present mind and sound
memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life do make
and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form
following

"First, I commit my soul into the hands of God trusting in his
mercy and in the merits of my redeemer for the redemption of my
sins and my body I committ to the earch to be buried at the 
discretion of my Executors hereinafter named. And as to my 
temporal estate I bequeath and dispose in the manner following,
to wit, The whole of my estate both real and personal except what
is hereinafter excepted to be equally divided between the heirs
of my son Benjamin Fortson deceased one distributive share. My
sons William, Jesse Fortson, Richard Fortson and my daughters
Elizabeth Gibbs and Millie Willis, share and share alike. To the
said heirs of my son Benjamin Fortson deceased, my sons William
Fortson, Jese Fortson, Richard Fortson and my daughter Elizabeth
Gibbs and their heirs forever and to my daughter Millie Willis
for and during her natural life and at her death to be equally
divided between her surviving children--sons and daughters share
and share alike. My will and desire further is and I do hereby 
give and bequeath unto my daughter Millie Willis, over and above
her equal share as afore said all that parcel of land supposed
to be seventy acres situated in said county of Elbert beginning
at Durrett Stodgehil line and running down to the road leading
from Fortson's bridge on Beaverdam Creek to Elberton on the west
side of said road and adjoining the said Millie Willis to have 
and to hold for and during her natural life and at her death to
be equally divided between her children, sons and daughters, share
and share alike.

"My will and desire further is that my faithful two old negro
slaves to wit Cate and his wife Rachel have the privilege of
choosing their master in the family and the person so chosen be
bound to take them at the appraised value of three disinterested
persons to be chosen by my Executors but in the case the appraisers
should consider them of no value, but a charge, then will pay what
compensation the master so chosen should have out of my estate,
provided he will agree to take charge of them. And I do further
desire that my faithful servant named Chany should receive out of
my estate the sum of fifty dollars in money for her faithful
services and attention to me during my last illness. 

"And lastly I do constitute and appoint my son Richard Fortson
Executor to this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all
former Wills by me made. To witness whereof I have hereunto set 
my hand and seal the twenty-fourth day of January in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four. Signed sealed
and acknowledged before us, and by Thomas Fortson to be his lasgt
Will and Testament. The day and date above written.
Thomas Fortson (Seal)
R. M Carter
Benejah Houston
John J. Carter"

The above Will was proved on 4 March 1824 by Robert M. Carter
and John J. Carter and was recorded on 13 Mar 1824 by Job
Weston, C.C.O., Elbert Co., GA.

[Submitter's notes: Lt. Thomas Fortson, Jr.'s name appears on
the DAR monument to Revolutionary Soldiers in Elberton, GA.]

Submitted by: Chandler Eavenson