Harris County GaArchives Wills.....Matthews, Henry 1865 ************************************************ 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: . . voneill101@aol.com January 19, 2008, 11:51 am Source: Harris Co. Will Book Written: 1865 Last will and testament of Henry Matthews deceased recorded State of Georgia.} In the name of God Amen Harris county } I, Henry Matthews of said state and county being of advanced age but of sound and disposing mind and memory knowing that I must shortly depart this life desire it right and proper both as respects my family and myself that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind providence has blessed me. I therefore make my last will and testament hereby revoking and annulling all others by me heretofore made. 1st I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my circumstance and condition in life. My soul I trust shall return to rest with God who gave it as I hope for salvation through the merits and atonement of the blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Item 2 I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my executor hereinafter named and appointed. Item 3 I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Martha Matthews, my two lots of land being in the 18th dist of said county being(as well as I can recollect) numbers 246 and 235 for and during her natural life or so long as she pleases to live on them the same being my plantation and residence also our negroe man named Ireland about 30 or 35 years of age, dark complexion: our negroe woman named Louisa about 30 years old and her three children namely Def a boy 7 years of age , Audy a boy 4 years old and Thomas 15 months old. 2 choice horses, eleven choice cows and calves, one sow and pigs choice, -our yoke oxen + cart, two plain stocks, gear and plows to go with the stocks. Top buggy and harness, 2 choice weeding hoes one choice axe, two beds and the furniture belonging to said beds + 2 bedsteads choice, 1 chest, half dozen chairs, half doz plates, 2 dishes, set knives + forks, 2 pitchers, 3 bowls, set spoons, set cups + saucers, 2 choice tables and all the balance of my household + kitchen furniture is given to my said wife for and during her natural life as well also the negroe slaves mentioned in this item is only given to my said wife for and during her natural life. Item 4 I give + bequeath to my daughter Martha Matthews one thousand dollars in money out of the sale of my property over and above an equal share of my estate. She having lived with me and done much for my comfort and happiness. Item 5 I give + bequeath to my daughter, Mary Matthews one thousand dollars in money out of the sale of my property over and an equal share (except- the share of my daughter Martha) of my estate. She having lived with me and done much for my comfort and happiness. I mean and want it distinctly understood that I give my favorite two daughters Martha and Mary one thousand dollars cash more than I give my other children for the reasons above stated. Item 6 I desire + bequeath the balance of my negroes not written to my wife in item 3 be sold and the proceeds after paying the above specific legacies to my daughters, named in item 4 and 5 be equally divided amongst - all my children share and share alike, together with all the property willed to my wife in item 3 after her death,. I will it be sold and equally distributed amongst (all) my children share and share alike, after deducting from that portion of my son William Matthews eight hundred + ninety six dollars + 62 cents money I have advanced him for which I hold his note. Also deducting from that portion of my son Abner Matthews seven hundred and fifty eight dollars money advanced him and for which I hold his note. Also deducting from that portion of my son Elicinar (Elicenar) Matthews six hundred + eighty 13/100 dollars money advanced him and for which I hold his note. Also deducting from that portion of my son Arthur Matthews ninety-six 74/100 dollars money advanced him and of which I hold his note. That my desire may be fully understood in this item I mean that my sons herein named are to pay the several amounts I hold against them into my estate or allow the same in settlement with the executors before they shall be entitled to any portion of my estate. Item 7 I constitute and appoint my son in law Hardy Hobbs executor and my daughter Martha Matthews executrix of my last will and testament. This 18th day of July 1864. Henry Matthews The word “all” intending before signing Signed, sealed, declared and published by Henry Matthews as his last will and testament in the presence of the undersigned who subscribe our names here to in the presence of the said testator at his special instance and request and in the presence of said of each other this July 18, 1864. Geo.L. Kilpatrick ____ Hudson N.H. Rardreu State of Georgia } Court of the Ordinary June term 1865 Harris County } Personally appeared in open court Hardy Hobbs + Mary Matthews constituted and appointed in a paper writing purporting to be the last will + testament of Henry Matthews dec late of said county as executor + executrix of said deceased and produced said paper writing; And also personally came N.H. Rardeu one of the witnesses to said paper writing who being duly sworn, depositted and saith that he saw the said Henry Matthews sign, seal publish and declare the said paper writing, now forsworn in open court to be last will + Testament, freely, voluntarily of his own accord, Without any compulsion or any influence whatever - that at the time of said execution of said will said testator was of sound disposing mind + memory-that deposed signed said will as a witness in the presence of the testator and at his request and in the presence of the other witnesses and that he saw _______ Hudson + G.L. Kilpatrick the other witnesses sign said will in the presence of the Testator and at his request sworn to and subscribed before me in open court June 5, 1865. N.H. Rardeu Geo. W.Mullins ordinary We do solemnly swear that this writing contains the true last will of the within named Henry Matthews deceased so far as we know or believe that we will ___________ and truly execute the same in accordance with the laws of this state. So help us God. Sworn to and subscribed before me June 5, 1865. Geo. W. Mullins ordinary Hardy Hobbs Mary Matthews Additional Comments: I am related to Henry through his son William Mat(t)hews. William married Molcey Miller in Harris county and then moved to Jackson county FL. in about 1850. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/harris/wills/matthews671gwl.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 7.6 Kb