Will fo Abraham Chastain, Hall, Georgia http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/hall/wills/achastain.txt ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb Project policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. 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 the file permanently for free access. GAGenWeb Archives File Manager, Hall County Carolyn Golowka, -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by Bill Stephenson, January 2001 Transcription of the Estate Papers of Abraham Chastain, Hall County, Georgia, 1863, pages 187 - 189, by William L. Stephenson, Jan. 2001 In the name of God Amen I Abraham Chastain of the County of Hall and State of Georgia feeling that I am quite advanced in years and being impressed with a sense of the uncertainty of life, and the certainty of death, do make, ordain, declare, and publish, this writing as my last will and testament hereby revoking and and all Wills by me at any time heretofore made. Item 1st. I desire that my Soul may return to God who gave it, and that my body shall be buried in a manner suitable to my condition in life. Item 2nd. As to the goods and effects with which kind Providence has blessed me, I will and direct that they be disposed of as follows – Item 3rd. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Harriet D. four Negroes viz – Liccuda a woman about thirty years of age and her child Wiley a boy about four months old. Warren a boy about fourteen years old and Florence a girl about four years old. Also two beds, bedsteads and furniture one trunk and its contents and Three hundred Dollars in money, the money to be paid to her at the time this Will is opened, all the above named property and effects I give to my said Wife absolutely to be controlled and disposed of by her as she may desire and direct at her death. Item 4th. I give and bequeath to my grandson Sterling B. Chastain my home place containing Five hundred Acres more or less known by Lots No. 71 and 72 in the tenth District of said County of Hall, also two Negroes viz. Dick a man about twenty three years old and Cuffy a boy about ten years old, my Stock of mules, Cattle, Hogs and Sheep and one Jack, also all my household and Kitchen furniture of every description my farming Tools and Wagon and Blacksmiths Tools also all my money notes accounts and fifes and evidences of debts which I may possess also my Grist Mill situated on my home place with all its appurtenances also my Gold Watch. The Crop and Stock of provisions that may be on hand at my decease. I desire to remain for the Support of the family and I enjoin this duty upon my said grandson to remain upon the farm hereby bequeathed to Pine with my said wife Harriet D. that he shall take charge of the hands and cultivate the farm and that the produce of the farm and Mill or so much as may be necessary be used for the support and maintenance of the family should there be a Surplus that surplus to belong to my said grandson this arrangement I desire to continue during the natural life or widowhood of my said wife and at her death of intermarriage that he shall go into the full possession and enjoyment of the property hereby bequeathed to him. Item 5th. I give and bequeath to my Son William C. Chastain One hundred and twenty five Acres of Land being North half of Lot No. 70 in the tenth District of Hall County. Item 6th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Margaret Whitlock (alias) Mary Margaret Chastain One Dollar. Item 7th. I give and bequeath to my Grandson William H. H. Chastain my Rifle Gun. Item 8th. I hereby constitute and appoint my said Wife Harriet D. and my friend J. E. Redwine Executrix and Executor of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I the said Abraham Chastain to this my will of two Pages besides this Page have to this my said Will have set my hand and Seal this 24th day of September 1863. A. Chastain Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Abraham Chastain as his last will and testament and that we at the request of said testator and in his presence and of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto this 24th September 1863. William A. Smith Melville P. Roark William A. Fant Unity Smith (her mark) Georgia Hall County Court of Ordinary November Term 1863 Harriet D. Chastain having produced in Court the last will and testament of Abraham Chastain deceased and the witnesses to the same viz. William A. Smith, Melville P. Roark, William M. Fant and Unity Smith, and prays that said Will be proven in Common form and the said William A. Smith Melville P. Roark William M. Fant and Unity Smith being duly Sworn say they saw Abraham Chastain sign seal and publish the same as his last Will and testament that Page 190 at the time thereof he was of sound and disposing mind and memory and did the same of his own free will and accord so far as they know or believe. Sworn to and Subscribed in Open Court this 2nd day of November 1863. J. R. Boone W. A. Smith Ordinary Melville P. Roark William M. Fant Unity Smith (her mark) Georgia Hall County I Harriet D. Chastain so solemnly Swear that this writing contains the true last Will and testament of Abraham Chastain deceased so far as I know or believe and that I will well and truly execute the same by paying first the debt and then the legacies contained in said will as far as his goods and chattels will thereunto extend and the Law charges me and that I will make a true and perfect Inventory of all such goods and chattels – so help me God. Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court November 2nd 1863 J. R. Boone Harriet D. Chastain Ordinary